The SUSU team implementing the Russian Science Foundation project № 24-18-00049 (project leader Olga Solopova) presented the interim research results at the three significant events of international level in St. Petersburg.
On June 25-28, the IX International Scientific Conference «Language in the Coordinates of Mass Media» took place at the School of Journalism & Mass Communication of St. Petersburg University. During the conference, scientists from leading universities of the country and a number of foreign countries discussed a wide range of issues related to the phenomenon of the modern media text, the process of political and intercultural communication, and the peculiarities of modern cultural and historical memory. At the conference, Igor Sibiryakov, Professor at the Department of National and Foreign History at SUSU, Doctor of Historical Sciences, presented a report titled «Key Problems of Forming a Positive Image of Russia in the BRICS Media Space». The report reflected the results of research conducted by SUSU scientists under the Russian Science Foundation grant № 24-18-00049. The audience was particularly interested in Sibiryakov’s thesis on the uniqueness of the modern BRICS media space, possible directions for its further development, and the importance of forming a more authentic image of Russia with the help of modern information technologies.
On June 26, an international research team consisting of Olga Solopova, Doctor of Philological Science, Professor at the Department of Linguistic and Translation; Natalia Koshkarova, Doctor of Philological Science, Professor at the Department of International Relations, Political Science and Regional Studies; and Sonu Saini, PhD, Associate Professor at the Centre of Russian Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi, India) presented a report at the All-Russian Scientific Conference with International Participation: «Russia in the Emergence of a Polycentric World: Challenges, Opportunities, Prospects». The conference was organised by the Faculty of International Relations and Political Studies of SZIU RANEPA in cooperation with the Faculty of Political Science of Saint Petersburg State University (SPBGU). As a part of the section «Civilisation Aspects of Russian Statehood in the Context of the Anti-Russian Policy of the Collective West», the scientist presented findings on stereotypical perceptions about Russians in the academic environment of India: what Indian teachers and students think about Russia, which cultural and historical facts about Russia and Russians they know, and how they assess the prospects of Russian-Indian cooperation.
On June 27, Olga Solopova participated as an expert in the expert discussion «International Relations and Trends of World Development in the Conditions of Changing Reality» (Small Hall of the Mariinsky Palace), held as part of the IX International Nevsky Forum. The discussion provided an opportunity to address topics related to the modern development of states in a multipolar environment, their ability to adequately respond to the threats and challenges of modernity, and Russia’s interaction with the main and hidden players in the system of international relations. The experts discussed the activities of international organisations under the transformation of the world order, the priorities of Russia’s foreign policy, the challenges faced by the Russian state and society at the new stage of development, the impact of public and cultural diplomacy, and of language policy on the formation of international relations. The RSF project «Modelling the Image of Russia in the Media Discourse of the BRICS Countries: Frames, Metaphors, Stereotypes», which was called timely and promising, attracted genuine interest from the expert community.
We thank the organisers of the St. Petersburg scientific events for the opportunity to share the results of research, which undoubtedly contribute to the formation of a positive image of Russia!