„I knew I would employ discourse analysis for the case study ‚Europe – Ukraine – Russia‘, focusing on governance standards“

An interview with our fellow Vladyslav Andrushko

Inspiring opportunity

Romy & Jonathan: Hello Vladyslav, you have been a member of the Research Training Group since October 2023. Could you share the motivations that led you to apply for the RTG „Standards of Governance“?

Vladyslav: First of all, I saw the idea of growing inside the RTG and contributing to it as an inspiring opportunity. I saw the value in applying my expertise in the international triangle “Europe – Ukraine – Russia”. Moreover, as a scholar using discourse analysis, I was excited by the challenge of integrating advanced NLP and Data Science tools like large language models (LLMs) or Machine Learning to the political domain. Ultimately, discourse for me is a way to understand ideologies or political viewpoints, drawing from thinkers like Foucault and Laclau and Mouffe. It’s a powerful tool for political science, helping to explore arguments, identities, power relations, and conflicts.

Romy & Jonathan: The title of the RTG is quite broad. What are your preliminary reflections on the concept of „standards of governance“?

Vladyslav: Defining “standards of governance” is definitely a challenge. I approach it from a practical perspective: how exactly do these standards differ from legal documents? As you know, I’m not only a political scientist but also hold a Master’s in Law and have experience working in the Ukrainian parliament as a deputy assistant, thats why this distinction is particularly intriguing for me. Overall, I see governance standards as less tangible than legal documents but, at the same time, more influential. They seem to exist above the legal framework, shaping and legitimizing it. For me, “standards of governance” encompass values, norms, and specific keywords (or quantitative indicators) that can be identified through political discourse analysis.

“ I see Ukraine as a bit of a ‚battleground‘ between the two systems, the European and Russian standards of governance.“

Romy & Jonathan: What is the focus of your research, and in which thematic direction is your dissertation progressing?

Vladyslav: I’m really interested in how Europe, Ukraine and Russia all interact with each other. I’m Ukrainian myself, so I know all these three perspectives inside out! Furthermore, I see Ukraine as a bit of a ‚battleground‘ between the two systems, the European and Russian standards of governance. Specifically, I look now at the Ukrainian parliamentary debates, they are open-access reliable. I basically focus on the period just before the war, when both the European and Russian narratives were very much in the spotlight, when they were represented by different ukrainian politicians from different political parties. It’s so interesting how these opposing external standards play out in different political areas. For example, how they differ in the field of energy and the economy, fundamental rights and the judiciary, international orientation and defence policy, and so on. And on the other side, where they can complement each other without conflicts.

Romy & Jonathan: Thank you for providing insight into your project. To what degree does your research hold social relevance?

Vladyslav: I think the relevance of my research is obvious. It’s hard to find anyone today who isn’t talking about Ukraine, Russia, Europe or international relations. This crazy war must end. The world should be at peace. Both Ukraine and Europe should overcome the crisis and develop in this new peaceful world. This is more than relevance; it is the challenge and opportunity of my life.

Romy & Jonathan: Has your doctoral project evolved or become more focused since you joined the RTG programme?

Vladyslav: Well, I wouldn’t say it has completely changed, but it has certainly become more specific over time. When I joined the project, I knew I would employ discourse analysis for the case study “Europe – Ukraine – Russia,” focusing on governance standards. However, my perspective was initially very broad and not well-defined. With each step, my approach has become more refined and focused. Now I go deep to the narrow policy areas.

„Being part of the RTG allows me to gain expertise in areas such as economics and international relations, further enriching my research.“

Romy & Jonathan: A doctorate within a Research Training Group differs from other forms of doctoral study in several ways. In your view, what are the key advantages of pursuing a doctorate within such a framework?

Vladyslav: There are many advantages, but I would emphasize the opportunity to receive advice, share ideas with colleagues, and get valuable feedback in a collaborative environment. Networking is another key benefit—RTG provides excellent opportunities for building meaningful professional connections. For me, this supportive and intellectually stimulating setting is one of the greatest advantages.

Romy & Jonathan: The RTG comprises political scientists, sociologists, philosophers, and legal scholars. How does this interdisciplinarity and diversity contribute to the development of your doctoral project?

Vladyslav: It is undoubtedly helpful. In the social sciences, everything is interconnected. For example, in Ukraine, I studied Political Science at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where I was affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy. Because of this, I feel as much a philosopher as a political scientist. Later, I pursued a Master’s degree in Law, and now my research leans toward digital linguistics and programming. Being part of the RTG allows me to gain expertise in areas such as economics and international relations, further enriching my research.

Romy & Jonathan: How does the collaboration between the Goethe University and the Technical University of Darmstadt influence your research and doctoral project?

Vladyslav: I’d highly recommend getting involved with both universities! You’ll have twice as many opportunities as you would otherwise. Both universities are great, but there are some differences. TU Darmstadt is more focused on the technical side, so it’s great for learning about methodology, in my case, for example, it is NLP and Data Science tools. Goethe University is more focused on social disciplines. The combination of these two universities makes a strong background for research, no doubts about that!

„I’m truly happy with my current environment“

Romy & Jonathan: What benefits do you anticipate gaining from the international research opportunities provided within the framework of the Research Training Group?

Vladyslav: I haven’t explored all the possibilities yet, but I already see this as an excellent opportunity. I’m truly happy with my current environment. However, I would also be thrilled to gain experience at a foreign world-class IT university, like TU Darmstadt. Being in such a setting would undoubtedly enhance my professional growth and deepen my knowledge in this field, which is, of course, incredibly important.

Romy & Jonathan: What are the key focus areas and objectives of your research in the coming months?

Vladyslav: I will continue moving forward. That’s what I do. Thank you for the inspiring interview, and good luck!

Romy & Jonathan: Thank you very much for your interesting answers.

The interview was conducted by Romy Knappe and Jonathan Mück in November 2024.