Olya Feldberg

I am a cultural and comparative-historical sociologist exploring collective memory in the ex-Soviet space, with a particular focus on legacies of the Soviet nuclear project. This research has taken me to the steppes of Kazakhstan, a place that has captured my heart and imagination. My work examines what scholars call "technopolitics"— the ways technological systems are embedded in and produce new forms of power. While we often separate 'science' from 'culture,' I'm fascinated by the cultures that scientific communities create around themselves and how these cultures endure long after the original projects conclude. I'm also interested in nuclear deterrence and the historical evolution of the idea that nuclear weapons keep us safe. In my teaching and research, I am driven by curiosity and a commitment to imagining more just and sustainable futures. I believe we learn best around and from other people—through communication, dialog, and even disagreement. In other words, through engagement.