MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale
MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale
European Studies Council

Katrina Simanovska

MA Student
European Studies Council
Research Interests:

Russian disinformation, hybrid warfare, information manipulation, democratic resilience, strategic communications, Baltic security, Russia & Eastern Europe

Katrina Simanovska is an M.A. candidate in European and Russian Studies at Yale. Originally from Latvia, she holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Sciences Po Paris, with a year abroad at King's College London. She is fluent in Latvian and English, and is proficient in French and Russian. Her research focuses on Russian disinformation and hybrid warfare in Europe, and on how states can respond to hybrid threats without amplifying adversary narratives or eroding democratic resilience.

She previously worked at Latvia's State Chancellery Strategic Communications Department, where she hosted the Latvian government's official podcast Melns uz Balta, aimed at raising public awareness about information manipulation and media literacy. She has also worked as a debate teacher through organisations such as Debate Mate and Papillon Academy, which expand access to debate for underrepresented youth.

In summer 2026, Katrina was a Research Intern at the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga, supported by the Yale Baltic Studies Program's Keggi-Bērziņš Fellowship. At Yale, she serves as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the Jackson School of Global Affairs.

Department: European & Russian Studies