Dmitrii Pastushenkov

Dmitrii Pastushenkov is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Harvard University, specializing in the Russian language program. He holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Studies from Michigan State University (2022), an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from Kent State University (2017), and dual M.A. degrees in Russian Translation and Business Administration, also from Kent State (2015). His research focuses on instructed second language acquisition, bridging theory and practice in language education, and the application of psychological theories to literary analysis. He has contributed to journals like The Modern Language Journal and co-edited a Routledge volume on assessment in Russian language classes. His work explores gamification, language immersion programs, and the use of technology in education, including game-based learning and assessment methodologies.

Prior to Harvard, Dmitrii taught at Michigan State University, California State University, Northridge, and Kent State University, where he held graduate assistantships and participated in STARTALK programs. He has served as a research assistant at Middlebury College’s Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian, gaining insights into immersive language education. His interdisciplinary research also includes analyzing Russian state media’s portrayal of opposition leaders and examining dystopian narratives in Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels through psychological frameworks.

Pastushenkov’s teaching philosophy emphasizes practical application of research, with a focus on enhancing language learning through innovative pedagogical strategies. His publications address topics such as vocabulary acquisition via gamification, task-based instruction, and the role of individual differences in language learning outcomes. He actively contributes to educational initiatives that integrate cultural and linguistic studies across disciplines.