DATA COLLECTION, FIELDWORK AND ANALYSIS
During the first four months of the fellowship a review of relevant literature was conducted and hypotheses developed to explain variation in responses to Russia’s strategic narrative among Ukrainian citizens.
The strategic narratives of the Russian and Ukrainian governments were traced by analysing official statements made by the Russian and Ukrainian presidents and foreign ministers, as well as Russian state media content.
Having identified key points of contradiction between the Russian and Ukrainian strategic narratives, survey items were developed to measure support for each narrative. Polling company TNS Ukraine implemented the survey in Odesa Region.
Preparation then began for the qualitative stage of fieldwork. Another review of relevant literature was produced, looking at theories which explain variation in ‘media repertoires’ and credibility assessments. A small-n study was designed and conducted among adult residents of Odesa, based on audio-diaries and semi-structured interviews.
Finally, data was collected from journalists and politicians in Kyiv. An online survey was designed for Ukrainian journalists to find out how they perceived the ‘information threat’ from Russia and how it had affected their work. Interviews were conducted with 15 Ukrainian politicians to learn about the policy measures that have been taken to counter Russian propaganda.
During 2016-2017, the researcher analysed the survey data and transcripts.
DISSEMINATION AND PUBLICATION OF RESULTS
Results from the project were presented at the 2017 ICA Annual Convention, the 2017 and 2018 BISA Annual Conferences and numerous other events.
Findings from the project have so far been published in two major articles, one in Perspectives on Politics, another in The International Journal of Press/Politics. Both journals are highly ranked. A monograph is in progress.
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE BEYOND ACADEMIA
Between April and August 2017, the researcher completed a secondment to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. During the secondment, the researcher presented project findings to policymakers and advised them on issues related to media development and strategic communication in Ukraine.
Besides the secondment, the researcher shared project results with policymakers by giving presentations to staff of European embassies and the European Commission’s Delegation in Kyiv. The non-profit organisation IREX took an interest in the research and used it as evidence when preparing media literacy interventions in Ukraine.
TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Throughout the first 19 months of the fellowship the researcher developed Ukrainian language skills by attending language classes. The researcher has also developed her skills through training in the R programming language and through the experience of working alongside policymakers on secondment.
