Graduate Student Research Focus: Nicole Marie Klevanskaya, Ph.D. Candidate

What inspired you to pick your topic of research?

Two factors — my personal connection with the war in Ukraine as an individual of Russian heritage and my interest in understanding how journalism functions in non-democratic contexts. As a journalist who has worked in the United States, which is a democratic context, I am very curious about how journalists do their jobs and achieve their goals in light of looming threats related to authoritarianism. 

What contribution do you hope your research makes to the field?

I hope to challenge Western-centric ways of thinking about journalism, which often tend to prioritize objectivity and impartiality. My work has shown me that while these values are important, they are difficult to achieve in media systems where independent journalists have been pushed out of their countries to avoid the threat of persecution. I also strongly believe in the value of applying Western journalism theories to non-democratic and authoritarian contexts, as this can help provide a more accurate understanding of how journalism functions around the globe. A number of excellent scholars, such as Hubbard School alumni Dr. Danford Zirugo, are already doing this, and I strive to join them in their pursuit of this important goal. 

What support did you receive from the School to be able to do this research?

So much, for which I am extremely grateful. The School financially supported me in traveling abroad for international conferences, such as IAMCR and ECREA, and conducting fieldwork for my dissertation. This is really important for me, given that my research is situated within the study of global and international media. I am also immensely grateful for the mentorship of the Hubbard School graduate faculty, particularly my advisor Dr. Sid Bedingfield, who has taught me how to take my personal interest and turn it into a valuable theoretical contribution that has the potential to expand academic scholarship.