🦩 I am a Russian-born French scholar and administrator based in Abu Dhabi.
Since 2020, I have worked as Research and Analysis Unit Head at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. As my core responsibility, I manage and co-create CultureSTATS-AD, an initiative focused on developing tailored qualitative and quantitative measurements for Abu Dhabi’s culture sector. This pioneering initiative is the first of its kind in the MENA region; it creates new knowledge and fosters new synergies between researchers, policymakers, public and private entities to, and the culture sector.

Over the past five years, our team has published more than 20 research reports, including the groundbreaking Abu Dhabi Cultural Activities Baseline Report, four qualitative deep-dives, economic and econometric analyses, as well as several academic articles in leading international journals, including Quality & Quantity and Nature. My expertise has contributed to several foundational cultural projects in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and internationally.🇦🇪 🌍 

Before joining the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, I worked as a Research Fellow at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), where I was responsible for an international research project conceived by our team and funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR). This large-scale project aimed to foster collaborations among cultural institutions, universities, and government entities in France, Italy, Sweden, and Poland.

I have teaching experience in France 🇫🇷 (EHESS, Avignon University) and in India 🇮🇳  (IIM Rohtak). I have also been engaged as an invited speaker, consultant, and advisory board member by various entities based in Europe, the UK, and Japan. 

I hold a PhD in Sociology (EHESS) and, prior to that, graduated in public international law from Moscow State University. I was awarded two scholarships from the French government to support my Master’s and PhD studies. After earning my PhD, I was naturalized as French (Naturalization By Decree). Several years later, I received the UAE Golden Visa in recognition of my professional achievements.

I’m passionate about bringing bold ideas to life from scratch and always open to connecting and exchanging thoughts on such projects.