Dr Olga Oleinikova has extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative ad-hoc research across market research industry, government and non-profit sectors. Olga holds PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from University of Sydney. Her dissertation analysed the wave of contemporary Ukrainian migration to Australia (1991-2013), focusing on survival and achievement migrants’ life strategies as coping mechanisms with the turbulence of post-Soviet political transition in Ukraine. Currently, Olga is driving the establishment of Ukraine Democracy Initiative (UDI) at University of Sydney, a dynamic research initiative and global network of scholars, policy-makers, pro-democratic groups and NGOs concerned with future of democracy in Ukraine. Also, Olga is working on the research project investigating three types of barriers to the building of democracy: challenges in the sphere of government, at the level of civil society and in the field of foreign policy, titled “Ukrainian Democracy: Performance, Challenges and Futures”. Olga’s areas of interest are East European societies in transition, democratisation, political elite, violent extremism and social cleavages in the cross-border multi-ethnic territories, (im) migration into Asia-Pacific (policies, settlement, and transnationalism), behavioural strategies and gender.

Will Chinese investment sacrifice Ukraine's dreams of democracy to economic needs?
Aug 11, 2016 01:25 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
After years of rapid economic growth, bold policymaking and shrewd business tactics, China has become a global player. With its business interests expanding at every opportunity, Chinas power now rivals that of the US. In...