Focus: Analyses the construction, evolution and dissemination of Russian anti-Western narratives and their impact on public opinion in the region.
Description: The project examines Russian anti-Western narratives in Europe’s Eastern periphery over the last decade, focusing on their construction and variability, evolution, dissemination strategies, and strategic use to influence public opinion and political landscapes. The study will focus on the internal logic of narratives questioning the framings of Europe, Russia, and the global order and explore the interconnectedness of these narratives, analysing how they reinforce each other to create cohesive and persuasive messages. The project will also investigate the tools and mechanisms used to propagate these narratives, including state-controlled media, social media platforms, and diplomatic channels, as well as indirect dissemination through proxy actors. Methodologically, the project will combine discourse analysis (textual and cultural to account for local contexts and adaptability strategies) with network analysis (both disseminators network and social networks), with added in-depth case studies.
Application details and procedures can be found here: