I graduated with a first class degree in history for the University of the West of England in 2006. In 2007 I began an MA in Russian and East European Studies from CREES at the University of Birmingham for which I have been awarded distinction. I am now in my third year of learning Russian.

Having departed from academic circles I am keen to continue to think critically. My time at CREES introduced me to politics and current affairs and I would like to build on my limited knowledge in this area. I have a particular interest in current events involving Russia.

My specific interests with regard to history are:

Russian 20th century history in general
Communism in theroy and practice
The Stalinist era
Soviet Propaganda
Soviet culture

My MA disertation was entitled ‘Foundations and Promises: the cult of the hero in Stalin’s Russia’. This piece looked at the functions of heroes from the past (such as Ivan the Terrible), the ‘present’ (leader cults) and ‘future’ (new soviet men) and how they worked together to provide legitimacy for a regime whose power came as the result of a coup.