YELENA OSIPOVA
School of International Service, American University | 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW | Washington, DC 20016
E-mail: yelena.osipova@american.edu | Blog: http://lena-globalchaos.blogspot.com
EDUCATION
American University, School of International Service
Expected completion: 2015
Ph.D., International Relations
Washington, DC
Dissertation: “Public Diplomacy in Transition: Negotiating Identity and Soft Power in Russia.”
American University, School of International Service
2009–2011
M.A., International Communication
Washington, DC
Substantial Research Project: “Russian Public Diplomacy: Conceptualization and Practice.”
American University in Bulgaria
2005–2009
B.A., Political Science & International Relations
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication
Magna Cum Laude
Thesis: “Personality and Foreign Policy: Comparing Rafsanjani, Khatami, and Ahmadinejad.”
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
“Facilitating the Conversation: The 2012 U.S. Presidential Election and Public Diplomacy Through
Social Media.” [with Craig Hayden and Don Waisanen] American Behavioral Scientist 57 (11),
pp. 1623-1642
“Selective Processing: A Strategic Challenge for Public Diplomacy. An Alternative Approach to
Russian Public Diplomacy in the United States.” Gnovis, Vol. XII (II), Spring 2012
OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS
“From Gastronationalism to Gastrodiplomacy: Reversing the Securitization of the Dolma in the
South Caucasus.” Public Diplomacy Magazine, Winter 2014, pp. 18-22
“Seeing Beyond the Bear: Selective Processing and Russian Public Diplomacy in the West.” Center
on Global Interests Working Paper Series, Aug 2013
“Making Sense of Russia’s ‘Soft Power’.” Center on Global Interests, Jul 10, 2013
“Revisiting the Armenian-Turkish Reconciliation.” [with Fevzi Bilgin] Rethink Institute, Jan 2013
“Armenian Nationalism and the Struggle against Intolerance.” OSI Scholar Forum (15), Fall 2012
“Hizballah’s Media Strategy: Creating a ‘Theater of Terror’.” Journal of International Service. Fall
2011, pp. 83-101
“Turkey’s Public Diplomacy: The Genocide Resolution Challenge.” Washington Review of Turkish
and Eurasian Affairs, Dec 2010
“A View from the Diaspora: Thoughts on the ‘Other’.” Caucasus Conflict Voices, Dec 2010, pp. 44-46
“Erdogan’s Centennial Dream.” A Different View, Issue 35, Jan – Feb 2010, pp. 11-12
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SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“’Russification’ of ‘Soft Power’: Transformation of a Concept.” Paper presented at the Annual
Convention of the International Studies Association [ISA] (Toronto, Canada), Mar 26, 2014
“Culture in Public Diplomacy: Perspectives on China and the US.” Paper presented at the ISA
Annual Convention (San Francisco, CA), Apr 5, 2013
“De-Westernizing Digital Diplomacy: New ICTs in the Russian Context.” Paper presented at the
ISA Annual Convention (San Francisco, CA), Apr 4, 2013
“Measurement and Evaluation in Public Diplomacy.” Panel presentation, ISA Annual Convention
(San Francisco, CA), Apr 3, 2013
“Public Diplomacy and New Media in the Information Age.” Panel presentation, ISA Annual
Convention (San Diego, CA), Apr 4, 2012
“New Russian Public Diplomacy: Conceptualization, Practice and Limitations.” Paper presented
at ISA Annual Convention (San Diego, CA), Apr 2, 2012
“Russian Public Diplomacy: Conceptualization and Limitations.” Paper presented at Annual
Conference of the Open Society Foundations Global Supplementary Grant Program (New
York, NY), Mar 19, 2012
“Public Diplomacy and International Broadcasting in the 2.0 Age.” Panel presentation at the
Annual Convention of the National Communication Association (New Orleans, LA), Nov 17,
2011
SELECTED OTHER PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES AND INTERVIEWS
“Crisis in Ukraine: Impact on International Exchange.” Webinar hosted by Global Ties U.S. for its
members and member organizations across the US. Apr 15, 2014
“Women’s Role in Social and Economic Development.” Class lecture for Women and Third World
Development class at Trinity Washington University [at instructor’s invitation]. Jan 15, 2014
“Russian Foreign Policy and Public Diplomacy in Transition.” Online class lecture/presentation
for Politics of Russia class at Iowa State University [at instructor’s invitation]. Nov 22, 2013
“The Public Diplomacy Battle over Syria.” Broadcast Google Hangout/Panel by The Public Diplomat,
Syracuse University. Sep 20, 2013
“A New Look at the Role of Soft Power in US-Russia Relations.” Panel discussion [co-panelists: Dr.
John Brown, Georgetown University, and Jill Dougherty, CNN], Alfa Fellowship Alumni
Association (Washington, DC). May 28, 2013
“Armenia and the Caucasus in the Blogosphere.” Interviewed by the Director of Civilitas
Foundation for CivilNet. Feb 12, 2013
“Open Discussion on Blogging in America.” Presentation and discussion for Armenian delegates
participating in the Open World Leadership Program, Library of Congress (Washington, DC).
Feb 28, 2012
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“Russian Public Diplomacy: Change and Continuity.” Class lecture/presentation for Semester in
Washington DC Program, School of Continuing Studies, Georgetown University [at
instructor’s invitation]. Apr 11, 2011
“The Role of Culture in International Affairs.” Presentation and discussion [in Russian and
English] for Russian delegates participating in the Open World Leadership Program, Library of
Congress (Washington DC). Jun 18, 2010
HONORS, AWARDS, AND FELLOWSHIPS
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Global Excellence Scholarship, Gulbenkian Foundation, 2014-2016
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Dissertation Grant, Center on Public Diplomacy, University of Southern California, 2014-2015
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Doctoral Student Research Award, American University, 2014-2015
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Fellow, Rising Experts Program, Center on Global Interests, 2014-2015
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Global Supplementary Grant Program, Open Society Foundation, 2011 – 2012
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Ph.D. Fellowship, American University, 2011-2015
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Hall of Nations Award to attend American University, 2009–2011
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Honorary Senior Recognition for Int’l Relations Thesis, American University in Bulgaria, 2009
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Honorary Senior Recognition in Journalism, American University in Bulgaria, 2009
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Excellence in Print Journalism Award, Institute on Political Journalism, 2008
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The Fund for American Studies Fellowship, Jun–Aug 2008
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The Fund for American Studies Fellowship, Jul 2007
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President’s List, American University in Bulgaria, 2006–2009
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Open Society Institute Scholarship to attend American University in Bulgaria, 2005–2009
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Member of Golden Key International Honor Society
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Member of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars
PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
American University, School of International Service
Teaching Assistant, World Politics
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Introduction to basic theories and concepts in International Relations; Grading
Revision of reading and lecture material; Grading
American University, Intercultural Management Institute
Research Assistant
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Aug 2013–Present
Washington, DC
Aug 2012–Feb 2013
Washington, DC & Crimea, Ukraine
Developed evaluation tool for the Open Fun Football Schools Programme [by Cross Cultures
Project Association, Denmark], aimed at conflict resolution and strengthening of civil society
Baseline and post-program research (surveys, interviews, focus groups, interpretation) in
Russian, conducted in September and October 2012 in four towns/villages in Crimea
Co-authored the final report on recommendations and suggested design
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American University, School of International Service
Graduate Research Assistant
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Aug 2009–Aug 2013
Washington, DC
Cross-Cultural Communication
Public Diplomacy
Constitution-making in Transitional States
Communications and logistics coordinator for Cultural Diplomacy Conferences, Nov 2009, 2010
Global Voices Online
Blogger
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Sep 2010–Mar 2012
Contributed to the RuNet Echo section
Topics: Russian public diplomacy and social media
The Hospitality and Information Services for Diplomats, Meridian Int’l Center
Intern
Journal of International Service
Staff Editor
May–Aug 2010
Washington, DC
Sep 2009–May 2010
Washington, DC
DeFacto
Editor-in-Chief, Reporter
Apr 2006–Dec 2008
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Armenian Reporter
Contributor
Jun 2008–Jan 2010
Washington, DC
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Organizations Department
Intern
Jun 2007
Yerevan, Armenia
United Nations Department of Public Information
Intern
May–Jul 2006
Yerevan, Armenia
OTHER

Greenberg Seminars for Effective Teaching, American University, Washington, DC, 2011-2014

Institute on Political Journalism, The Fund for American Studies, Washington, DC, Jun–Aug 2008

American Institute on Political and Economic Systems, The Fund for American Studies, Prague,
Czech Republic, Jul 2007
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Member of the International Studies Association (2011-Present)
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Member of the National Communication Association (2011-2012)
LANGUAGES:
Armenian (native); English (near-native
proficiency); French (basic); Bulgarian (basic)
SOFTWARE:
SPSS, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
proficiency);
Russian
(near-native
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