Online Talk on February 8: Digital Inclusion in Russia

The February edition of Online Talks on Russian Media focuses on digital inclusion.

It is soon time for another interesting presentation in Online Talks on Russian Media, the collaborative initiative between TaRC and the Russian Media Lab Network (University of Helsinki)!

On Tuesday 8 February, Anna Gladkova from Lomonosov Moscow State University will present her study “Digital inequalities, digital capital and digital inclusion in multiethnic Russian society”, in which she explores digital inclusion of major and minor ethnic groups in Russia.

In her study, Dr Gladkova looks at the multiethnic character of Russian federal districts and draws linkages between the ethnic diversity of federal districts and their technological development in regard to access and use of ICTs, including the digital literacy index for each district.

Relying on current statistical data and research in this area, she further explores the concept of digital divide in Russia by comparing three broad categories of digital resources, identified as components of the index of inclusion: ICT access, skills, and the extent of engagement with technologies. 

Following up on this, she discusses how differences (if any) in digital access, digital use, and digital capital between major and minor ethnic groups in Russia can lead to new inequalities in the society today, where some groups risk becoming technologically excluded as a result of the digital divide.

Speaker’s bio:

Anna Gladkova is leading researcher and head of International Affairs Office at the Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University. She is co-chair of IAMCR’s Digital Divide Working Group, IAMCR Ambassador in Russia and member of the IAMCR International Council.

Anna Gladkova has published on ethnic media, digital inequalities and digital divides. Her recent co-edited books include Digital Inequalities in the Global South with Massimo Ragnedda (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020) and Ethnic Journalism in the Global South with Sadia Jamil (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). She has received research grants from the Presidential grant council for state support of young Russian scholars, the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, and the Fulbright Foundation.

Dr Gladkova’s talk will be organized on Zoom on Tuesday 8 February, 12:00 to 13:30 (Helsinki time, GMT+2). The discussion will be moderated by Dr Olga Dovbysh (Helsinki University).

If you want to participate and get emails about the next Online Talks, please leave your contact information here by noon on Monday 7 February. If you have registered for Online Talks or the RMLN email list before, no need to register again! We’ll send you the information.