Focus: Investigates how Russia exploits global and regional digital platforms to spread strategic narratives and disinformation across the Eastern periphery.
Description: This project investigates how Russia exploits digital platforms to enhance its influence in Europe’s eastern periphery, focusing on global platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Telegram and regionally popular alternatives, including Russian owned ones. The project examines the mechanisms through which these platforms are used to disseminate strategic narratives, disinformation, and foster societal divisions in the analysed states. The research will analyse how Russia leverages platform algorithms, advertising systems, and online communities to target audiences in culturally or politically vulnerable regions. Particular attention will be given to how these strategies adapt to local contexts to maximize their effectiveness. The research will also explore the role of digital platforms in facilitating Russia’s broader foreign policy goals, from undermining trust in Western institutions to reinforcing dependency on Russian narratives. By tracing the tactics employed, the project will assess the evolving landscape of Russian influence operations.
Application details and procedures can be found here:
Marie Curie ITN Researcher (Central & East · University of Glasgow