I am a video game geek, a detective at heart, and a cultural and political analyst.

One of the meanings of the name Kseniia is ‘outlander’ or ‘someone who comes from a distant place.’ Now that I am living in Germany, Kseniia is a confirmation of this. Born in the Russian Far East and raised in a region where Western and Eastern cultures meet, she was surrounded by a blend of languages, customs, and perspectives. This early exposure sparked her curiosity about the world and its interconnectedness, eventually leading her to dive deep into the study of international relations and politics.

Kseniia’s academic path started with a BA in International Relations at Far Eastern Federal University. It was here that she developed a deep interest in how global power dynamics shape our world. During her studies there, Kseniia took part in and completed a Model United Nations of the Russian Far East workshop series, contributed to the establishment of the International Political Analytics Club at her university, and helped her aerobics team win the varsity championship. Moreover, her experience working with international teams sparked her interest in learning different languages. Kseniia is fluent in Russian and English, has an intermediate proficiency in Spanish, and is currently learning German.

Driven by a desire to understand the world in even more complex and nuanced ways, she went on to pursue a Master’s in Moving Cultures—Transcultural Encounters at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. This program allowed her to explore the movement of cultures, ideas, and people and how they impact the way we experience the world. It was here that her curiosity about cultural exchanges and their impact on politics and society really took shape. Her studies have expanded her worldview, particularly regarding how environmental and cultural issues intersect, and led her to focus on sustainable development and environmental humanities.

Her research has been deeply influenced by her interest in ecohorror and ecogothic, where she analyzes how literature, film, and other forms of media explore environmental degradation, climate change, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. This approach allows her to blend her academic background with her creative side, using storytelling to highlight global challenges. Whether it’s through the lens of a dystopian novel or a haunting horror film, Kseniia is fascinated by the narratives that help us make sense of our environmental crisis. Through her work, she aims to offer new ways of thinking about sustainability and the future of our planet.

Alongside her academic pursuits, Kseniia is a passionate writer, content manager, and storyteller. She thrives on diving into diverse media to fuel her creativity. Whether it’s a gripping story in a book or a powerful film that makes her think about the world in new ways, she’s always looking for fresh sources of inspiration. Her editorial experience has allowed her to work on diverse projects, collaborating with different teams and bringing her creative vision to life. She believes that storytelling, in all its forms, has the power to change minds and spark action—and she’s excited to continue using her voice to break down complex concepts into simple language and inspire meaningful change.

When she’s not diving into research or writing, you can often find Kseniia watching popular science video essays and mysteries (real and fictional) or playing video games. These hobbies allow her to explore complex narratives, solve intriguing puzzles, and engage with captivating worlds. Whether she’s uncovering hidden clues in a mystery novel or navigating immersive game environments, she finds both activities incredibly entertaining and thrilling.

Besides adventures on the screen, Kseniia is looking for adventures in her real life. Being a curious person with a drive to explore the world around her, she likes to visit new places and meet new people. Her passion for traveling keeps her constantly seeking new challenges and expanding her horizons.