Natalia Zhdanova (Dubtsova)

Russia

MSc Russian and East European Studies, 2025 
St Antony’s College
Funding: Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann/ Hope-GRoW @ Annenberg

Natalia is a journalist and media manager with more than 10 years of experience in Russian independent outlets such as Novaya Gazeta and Meduza. She has covered the war in Ukraine, political prosecutions, protest movements, and trials within Russia. Natalia is an alumna of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford. In 2023, she conducted research on the involvement of the Russian Orthodox Church in military propaganda. Currently, she works as an independent journalist for various media.

By obtaining a master’s degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Oxford, Natalia plans to focus on political analysis and provide her expertise to think tanks, NGOs, and research institutions working on approaches and solutions for the region.