Elena Govor

Elena Govor is a Visiting Professor at the Australian National University (ANU), based in the School of Culture, History and Language. She holds adjunct and visiting roles across multiple ANU schools including Archaeology & Anthropology and Pacific and Asian History. Her career spans research fellowships, postdoctoral roles, and lecturing in Russian language. She earned a PhD (History, ANU) and a Diploma (Hons) from the Minsk Institute of Culture.

Research focuses on Russian-South Pacific cross-cultural interactions, including voyages, artefacts, and early Russian émigrés in Australia. Major projects include studies on Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay’s anthropological work, Pacific artefacts in Russian collections, and Russian Anzacs. She has secured grants from ARC, Getty Foundation, and collaborative international projects with institutions like Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Publications explore Russian voyages (e.g., Krusenstern expedition), Pacific toponyms, and historical manuscripts. Her work bridges maritime history, cultural anthropology, and colonial studies. Recent projects include repatriation debates of Indigenous remains and analysis of Russian-language press in early 20th century Australia.