Danica Jenkins

Dr Danica Jenkins is a Lecturer in European Studies at the University of Sydney, specializing in Russian, Eastern European, and South Eastern European intellectual and cultural history. She currently holds a Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Fellowship at the University of Sydney, a position she has held since 2022, and is based in Tbilisi, Georgia where she provides first-hand analysis of regional political developments.

Her research focuses on the complex historical and political dynamics of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, with particular attention to how historical narratives shape contemporary political realities. She examines patterns of crisis and autocratic rule in Russian history, the relationship between historical memory and current politics, and how cultural forms like cinema can facilitate dialogue about difficult historical legacies in post-authoritarian societies.

Dr Jenkins' recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on understanding historical patterns that inform current political developments across Eastern Europe. Her work connects historical concepts like 'smuta' (periods of turmoil) to contemporary Russian politics under Putin, while also analyzing how civil society movements navigate democratic development challenges in post-Soviet contexts like Georgia. Her scholarship bridges academic analysis with public discourse through accessible writing in venues like The Conversation.

With a PhD in European Studies from the University of Sydney (2022), Dr Jenkins previously served as a Senior Tutor and Research Assistant at the same institution from 2015 to 2022. Her location in Tbilisi provides her with direct access to the political developments she analyzes, particularly regarding Georgia's European integration efforts and its complex relationship with Russia.