معرفی
Olga Zabotkina is a Lecturer in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University, specializing in Russian language and cultural studies. She has taught Russian at all undergraduate levels since 2010, designing modules such as RUSS1042 (Russian Language 1B) and RUSS3381 (Russian for Professional Communication). Her roles include module convenor, Year Abroad Research Project supervisor, and mentor for Erasmus students. Zabotkina holds a philology degree from Kaliningrad State University and has extensive experience in museum pedagogy, teaching, and translation in Russia and the UK.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in Philology, Kaliningrad State University (Soviet Union/Russia), with distinction
Research Interests:
Zabotkina’s research focuses on Russian history (late 19th–early 20th century), the Romanov dynasty, folklore, and wooden architecture. She emphasizes student engagement through innovative teaching methods like performance-based learning and integrates cultural heritage into language instruction. Her work bridges historical scholarship and pedagogical practice.
Key Contributions:
Zabotkina has organized over a dozen cultural events, including online concerts, literary evenings, and academic conferences. She has supervised student projects such as Alex Haigh’s study on Russian dachas and Victoria Pedley’s research on Marfa Kryukova. Her publications include textbooks like Kostroma from A to Z and articles on Kostroma’s architectural heritage and Durham-Kostroma twinning relations.
Awards:
- Unsung Hero of Teaching and Learning (2024)
- Aitmatov Academy Award (2022)
- Nominated for Global Student Experience Award (2023, 2025)
Grants & Advising:
Zabotkina coordinates Erasmus student exchanges and mentors scholars. Her grants include funding for cultural outreach projects, though specific grant names are not detailed. She advocates for experiential learning, as seen in her “Reaching Across Borders” initiative, which sent students to Kostroma for summer schools.
Labs/Teams:
She leads the Russian Department’s cultural performance initiatives, collaborating with external institutions like the Kostroma Architectural Museum and the Russian Heritage in the UK Society. Recent projects include a 2025 poetry contest celebrating Sergei Yesenin and a 2024 literary evening on Russian resilience.
