Acting Head of Department of Public Communications and Regional Studies,

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, 

Oksana V. Snigovska

Scientific and pedagogical staff of the Department of РCRS:

• Acting Head of Department, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Snigovska Oksana V.
• Senior lecturer Velyka Olga V.
• Senior lecturer Vidimska Kateryna I.
• Professor, Doctor of Social Science Kamenska Tetiana H.
• Associate Professor, Candidate of Political Science Kuleshova Karyna I. 
• Senior Lecturer Malakhiti Andrii V.
• Senior Lecturer Migdalskyi Danyl I.
• Associate Professor, Doctor of Sociological Sciences Mosiychuk Tamara E. 
• Lecturer Nasikivska Vira M. 
• Associate Professor, Candidate of Philology Ryzhykh Volodymyr I. 
• Associate Professor, Candidate of Sociological Sciences Romanenko Svitlana V. 
• Senior Lecturer Tarasiuk Yuliia M. 
• Professor, Doctor of Philosophy Khudenko Andrii V. 
• Senior Lecturer Shagli Ganna I. 
• Lecturer Shevchenko Yulia H.
• Associate Professor, Candidate of Sociological Sciences Yatvetska Ganna V.

To keep up to date with the Department’s latest news, research achievements, international activities, student initiatives and forthcoming events, please visit the Department’s official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576434779798  

The Department of Social Communications and Regional Studies is an interdisciplinary academic unit within the Faculty of International Relations, Political Science and Sociology at Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University. Its teaching and research span international communication, regional studies, intercultural communication, foreign language education, media studies, strategic communication, and international relations. 

The Department offers specialist language programmes in Arabic, Chinese, Modern Greek, Turkish, and Japanese, combining advanced language education with specialist regional expertise and professional preparation for careers in international relations. This multidisciplinary approach enables students to achieve advanced language proficiency while developing a thorough understanding of the political, cultural, historical, economic, and social contexts of the regions in which these languages are spoken. 

The curriculum combines intensive language instruction with professionally oriented courses designed to foster the analytical, communicative, intercultural, and professional competencies required for contemporary international practice. Students choose one of five language pathways: Arabic, Chinese, Modern Greek, Turkish, or Japanese. Across all language pathways, they follow a coherent curriculum comprising First Foreign Language, Foreign Language for Professional Purposes, Second Foreign Language, Communicative Strategies, Fundamentals of Speech Communication, Media Discourse in International Communication, Academic Language, Professional Writing and Public Speaking, the Language of Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette, Terminology in International Diplomatic Practice, and Area Studies. The content of these modules is tailored to the linguistic, cultural, and professional contexts of each language pathway. 

A defining feature of the Department is its integration of language education with international relations, regional studies, and communication studies. Students gain practical expertise in intercultural communication, diplomatic discourse, public diplomacy, strategic communication, media analysis, and multilingual communication in international professional environments. The curriculum places particular emphasis on fostering critical thinking, information literacy, intercultural competence, and the effective use of digital communication technologies in international affairs. 

Research is central to the Department's academic mission. Academic staff lead the state-funded research project Identifying the Characteristics of Socio-Political and Media Discourses in the Context of International Conflicts. The project examines contemporary political communication, media discourse, strategic communication, information warfare, disinformation, cultural diplomacy, public diplomacy, and the role of language in international relations, bringing together insights from political science, linguistics, media studies, and international relations. 

The Department fosters a strong research culture by engaging students in scholarly activities through specialised research groups, collaborative projects, and academic mentoring. Students are encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences, publish research, contribute to interdisciplinary projects, and participate in academic mobility schemes and international partnerships. This research-led approach enhances both academic excellence and professional readiness for careers in diplomacy, international organisations, public administration, media, education, international business, and related fields. 

Committed to internationalisation and academic innovation, the Department maintains strong partnerships with universities and research institutions across Europe through Erasmus+ mobility, Jean Monnet initiatives, international research projects, and joint academic events. These partnerships provide opportunities for students and academic staff to engage with international research networks, exchange expertise, and contribute to international education, intercultural dialogue, and global academic cooperation.