OVD-Info Prize for Master’s and PHD Research on Repression, Surveillance and Censorship in Contemporary Russia

OVD-Info is a renowned non-profit organization collecting data on political repression in Russia. In collaboration with the Center for Russian, Caucasian, East-European and Central-Asian Studies (EHESS-CNRS), the Center for International Studies (Sciences Po-CNRS), and the Institute of Social Sciences in Politics (Paris Nanterre Université-CNRS), OVD-Info announces a prize for Master’s and PhD students to be awarded to the best research on repression, surveillance and censorship in contemporary Russia.

Why we are doing that?

Against the backdrop of Russia’s increasing closure in the context of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we believe that the need for knowledge about the Russian repressive system remains crucial. Data on law enforcement, surveillance and censorship are available but underexploited in academic research. To answer this demand for knowledge and contribute to the advancement of human rights in Russia, the prize will encourage students to work on these issues.

About the competition

The competition is aimed exclusively at Master’s and PhD students. It aims to stimulate reflection on repression, surveillance and censorship in Putin’s Russia, by supporting the production of master theses and PhD dissertations on these subjects. Research may come from the following disciplines: sociology, political science, legal studies, anthropology, information and communication, geography, or any closely related discipline. They may rely on qualitative and/or quantitative data. OVD-Info will give advice to candidates on finding relevant sources for their projects if needed.

The best English or Russian-language written works will be awarded a sum of 2,000 euros. Up to five prizes will be awarded. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of a 8,000-10,000-word essay presenting the research question, its originality in relation to existing literature, hypotheses, sources and methodology, and results. The selection committee will work with the award winners to transform their essay into a publication to be submitted to an academic journal.

Calendar

January 12, 2024: deadline for applications (250-word abstract of the project)
February 16, 2025: invitation to submit full essay (after review of abstracts by the selection committee)
July 1, 2025: deadline for submission of the 8,000-10,000-word essay
September 15, 2025: results of the competition announced and prizes awarded

Award committee

Daniil Beilinson (OVD-Info), Elena Bogdanova (Aleksanteri Institute), Françoise Daucé (CERCEC, EHESS), Gilles Favarel-Garrigues (Sciences Po-CERI), Mischa Gabowitsch (Mainz University), Anne Le Huérou (U. Paris-Nanterre, ISP), Lauren McCarthy (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Natalia Morozova (Memorial Human Rights Defense Centre), Olga Sadovskaya (Crew Against Torture), Peter H. Solomon, Jr (University of Toronto).

Please fill in this form and describe your project before the end of Dec 31, 2024.
We will get back to you no later than the end of January 2025.
If you have any question, please connect with us via prize@ovdinfo.org.