Alena Struzh

Alena is a Master’s student at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute, specializing in Russian politics and comparative authoritarianism. Originally from Russia and raised in Germany, she holds a BA in Comparative Literature and Political Science from the Free University of Berlin. Her current research examines the political behavior of the new Russian diaspora formed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with fieldwork in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Vilnius, Lithuania. Alena has also worked as a freelance journalist in Germany. Outside of academics, she enjoys exploring her neighborhood in search of the best Khachapuri and pastries.