Victoria Fomina

Dr. Victoria Fomina is a Social Anthropologist and Research Fellow (UKRI) at the School of Modern Languages, University of St Andrews. She holds a Newton International Fellowship and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Toronto (Department for the Study of Religion), visiting fellowships at the Institute for Human Sciences (Vienna), and New Europe College (Bucharest). Her research focuses on Russian cultural anthropology, exploring themes such as religious masculinities, military patriotism, material culture, and the intersection of spirituality with entrepreneurship.

Key research areas include the socio-cultural dynamics of Russian Orthodox identity, post-Soviet nationalism, and the role of historical narratives in contemporary politics. Her work integrates ethnographic fieldwork with critical analysis of cultural symbolism and state communication strategies.

Publications highlight investigations into frontier identities on the Amur River, the ethics of Orthodox entrepreneurs, and the cultural transmission failures in Russian state messaging. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges anthropology, history, and religious studies, with a focus on Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Grants and fellowships include UKRI support and the Newton International Fellowship, reflecting recognition of her contributions to understanding modern Russian sociocultural landscapes.