Christina Tanis

Christina Tanis serves as Associate Professor at the School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies within the Faculty of Humanities at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow. The School was established in September 2020 through the merger of the former School of Philosophy and School of Cultural Studies, bringing together renowned scholars across various philosophical and cultural disciplines.

Dr. Tanis specializes in film history and cultural studies, with particular expertise in Soviet cinema during the Cold War era. Her research examines the international distribution networks and cross-cultural reception of Soviet films, focusing on how cinematic works functioned as cultural diplomacy tools and influenced international relations. She investigates the intersection of film history with broader social movements and political contexts.

Her recent work presented at the 2025 HoMER Network Conference in Istanbul analyzed the global reception of the Soviet film 'The Cranes Are Flying' (1957), exploring its impact on Soviet-British cultural relations and its unexpected connections to civil rights movements in the United States. This research draws extensively on archival materials including official correspondence, statistical reports, and diplomatic documents from the period.

At HSE, the School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies maintains a project-based approach to both education and research, with faculty conducting work across philosophy of religion, socio-political philosophy, cultural policy, and visual culture studies. The school participates in numerous international research collaborations and hosts regular academic seminars on contemporary philosophical and cultural issues.