Professor Gulnaz Sharafutdinova
Professor of Russian Politics and Director of King's Russia Institute
Research interests
- Politics
Biography
Professor Gulnaz Sharafutdinova is a political scientist and an expert on Russian politics with the research agenda focused on political economy, social psychology and public opinion, authoritarian governance and legitimation, and centre-regional relations.
Gulnaz has recently published an award-winning The Red Mirror: Putin's Leadership and Russia's Insecure Identity (Oxford University Press, 2020) that explores issues of authoritarian legitimation in Russia after the 2014 Crimea annexation. Her most recent book is The Afterlife of the Soviet Man: Rethinking Homo Sovieticus (Bloomsbury Press 2023) that presents the intellectual biography of selected writers and thinkers who have contributed to knowledge-building on the effects of communism on people living under communism.
Gulnaz has joined King's Russia Institute in 2013. She holds a PhD from the George Washington University, and speaks Russian, Tatar, and English.
Research
Gulnaz is currently doing research on issues of political and social psychology of authoritarianism, including Russian exceptionalism, collective ressentiment, and Russian public reactions to the war in Ukraine. Exploring the effects of digitalization in authoritarian governance is another element of her research program.
For further updates see:
https://kcl.academia.edu/GulnazSharafutdinova
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gulnaz_Sharafutdinova
PhD candidates
Gulnaz is currently accepting PhD candidates.
Research
Authoritarianism and populism research group
Examining the rise and effects of authoritarianism and populism.
News
Participants sought for innovative study
The King’s Russia Institute is seeking participants for an innovative study due to take place in March.
Alumni event 'excellent opportunity' for students
Students past and present came together for a special alumni event hosted by the King’s Russia Institute.
King's experts offer insights following death of Alexei Navalny
The death of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has generated headlines around the globe.
New book explores Russian support for the invasion of Ukraine
Dr Jade McGlynn, Researcher in the Department of War Studies, launched her recently published book 'Russia's War' at King's. The book provides new insights...
New director of King's Russia Institute announced
The King’s Russia Institute has announced the appointment of a new director.
King's recognised in national awards for sharing expertise on the Ukraine War
King’s was highly commended at a national communications award for helping inform public discourse around the Ukraine War.
King's academic helping inform global coverage of war
The research and insights of Russia Institute academic Professor Gulnaz Sharafutdinova have been informing global coverage of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Prestigious award for academic's new book
A book penned by a King’s College London academic has won a prestigious award.
Moscow and the political advantage of potholes
The introduction of digital tools to quickly tackle complaints about potholes in Moscow provided a significant boost to the mayor’s popularity in subsequent...
New book holds Mirror up to Russian president
A new book by a King’s College London academic seeks to explain the enduring popularity of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Events
Understanding the Russian Audiences - a symposium
The symposium aims to explore the current state of Russian society two years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Please note: this event has passed.
Book launch 'Russia's War'
Join us for a discussion panel with Jane McGlynn, author of the book 'Russia's War' and researchers from the Department of War Studies.
Please note: this event has passed.
Mobilising for War in Russia
Join Sir Lawrence Freedman, Natasha Kuhrt, Marc Berenson, Maxim Alyukov and Gulnaz Sharafutdinova to discuss Russia's mobilisation
Please note: this event has passed.
Russia under Economic Sanctions
The King's Russia Institute is delighted to invite you to a discussion: Russia under Economic Sanctions
Please note: this event has passed.
Book launch: The Red Mirror
Gulnaz Sharafutdinova explores Russian politics and Vladimir Putin's leadership through the lens of social identity theory
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Sharing our expertise and insights on the war on Ukraine
Researchers and academics in our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are using their expertise to inform discussion and debate around Russia’s invasion...
Research
Authoritarianism and populism research group
Examining the rise and effects of authoritarianism and populism.
News
Participants sought for innovative study
The King’s Russia Institute is seeking participants for an innovative study due to take place in March.
Alumni event 'excellent opportunity' for students
Students past and present came together for a special alumni event hosted by the King’s Russia Institute.
King's experts offer insights following death of Alexei Navalny
The death of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has generated headlines around the globe.
New book explores Russian support for the invasion of Ukraine
Dr Jade McGlynn, Researcher in the Department of War Studies, launched her recently published book 'Russia's War' at King's. The book provides new insights...
New director of King's Russia Institute announced
The King’s Russia Institute has announced the appointment of a new director.
King's recognised in national awards for sharing expertise on the Ukraine War
King’s was highly commended at a national communications award for helping inform public discourse around the Ukraine War.
King's academic helping inform global coverage of war
The research and insights of Russia Institute academic Professor Gulnaz Sharafutdinova have been informing global coverage of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Prestigious award for academic's new book
A book penned by a King’s College London academic has won a prestigious award.
Moscow and the political advantage of potholes
The introduction of digital tools to quickly tackle complaints about potholes in Moscow provided a significant boost to the mayor’s popularity in subsequent...
New book holds Mirror up to Russian president
A new book by a King’s College London academic seeks to explain the enduring popularity of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Events
Understanding the Russian Audiences - a symposium
The symposium aims to explore the current state of Russian society two years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Please note: this event has passed.
Book launch 'Russia's War'
Join us for a discussion panel with Jane McGlynn, author of the book 'Russia's War' and researchers from the Department of War Studies.
Please note: this event has passed.
Mobilising for War in Russia
Join Sir Lawrence Freedman, Natasha Kuhrt, Marc Berenson, Maxim Alyukov and Gulnaz Sharafutdinova to discuss Russia's mobilisation
Please note: this event has passed.
Russia under Economic Sanctions
The King's Russia Institute is delighted to invite you to a discussion: Russia under Economic Sanctions
Please note: this event has passed.
Book launch: The Red Mirror
Gulnaz Sharafutdinova explores Russian politics and Vladimir Putin's leadership through the lens of social identity theory
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Sharing our expertise and insights on the war on Ukraine
Researchers and academics in our Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy are using their expertise to inform discussion and debate around Russia’s invasion...