Academic curriculum vitae

Daria Davydova (Danilova)

Journalist · Podcast Producer · Researcher

Washington, D.C.20+ years in journalism25+ podcast series

01 / Profile

Daria Davydova (Danilova) is a journalist, editor, podcast producer, educator, and researcher with more than twenty years of experience across print, radio, television, and digital media. Her work examines censorship, political repression, disinformation, wartime propaganda, and the erosion of independent journalism, with particular attention to how authoritarian systems control information during periods of crisis.

Davydova has reported for Novaya Gazeta, Russian Reporter, Silver Rain Radio, City FM, Kommersant FM, and Voice of America’s Russian Service. Her reporting has covered politics and human rights in Russia, as well as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Areas of interest

Languages

02 / Education

Ph.D. Student

University of Maryland

Fall 2026–Present

Philip Merrill College of Journalism

Master of Journalism

Lomonosov Moscow State University

2006–2011

Faculty of Journalism · Department of Television and Radio Broadcasting

03 / Teaching

Instructor of Record

JOUR130. Self-Presentation in the Age of YouTube

Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland

Fall 2026 · Maryland, USA

This class focuses on strengthening those skills through active individual and group presentations, as well as through discussion of key techniques and group critiques of presentations publicly available in the social media space on sites such as YouTube.

Visiting Lecturer

JOUR458R. From Censorship to Invasion: How the Silencing of Media Enabled Repression in Russia and the War in Ukraine

Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland

Spring 2026 · Maryland, USA

This course examines Russia as a case study in how the systematic erosion of press freedom, state censorship, and online disinformation enabled political repression, undermined democracy and human rights, and helped pave the way for Russia’s 2014 and 2022 invasions of Ukraine.

Guest Lecturer

Podcast Production

Higher School of Economics (HSE)

Sping 2021 · Moscow, Russia

Master classes and guest lectures on podcast production for undergraduate students.

Guest Lecturer

Podcast Production

Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Fall 2020 · Moscow, Russia

Master classes and guest lectures on podcast production for undergraduate students.

Instructor of Record

Fundamentals of Radio Journalism

Institute of Journalism and Literary Creativity (IJLT)

Spring 2017 · Moscow, Russia

This course introduces the fundamentals of radio journalism through hands-on training in developing story ideas, producing radio programs, recording audio, and editing sound.

Instructor of Record

Fundamentals of Radio Journalism

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Fall 2012 · Moscow, Russia

This course introduces the fundamentals of radio journalism through hands-on training in developing story ideas, producing radio programs, recording audio, and editing sound.

04 / Conferences and Presenting

August 2026 · New Orleans, LA, USA

“Human Shield,” “Not Us,” or Silence: How Russian State-Controlled Media Obscure Civilian Casualties in Ukraine”

108th Annual AEJMC Conference

March 2026 · Norman, OK, USA

“Reporting Under Pressure: Independent Journalists in Wartime Russia“

Midwinter AEJMC Conference

05 / Professional experience

Multimedia Journalist, Podcast Producer

Voice of America, Russian Service

11/2022–03/2025 · Washington, D.C.

Produced and hosted narrative podcasts; edited news podcasts and talk shows; wrote and produced news, features, and long-form stories; and conducted interviews. Covered Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian politics, wartime censorship, repression, propaganda, human rights, and attacks on independent journalism.

Head of Podcast Production

Caution: Podcasts!

09/2021–10/2022 · Russia

Led the team, edited and hosted podcasts, created and developed multimedia projects, and shaped media strategy for the podcast production company founded by Ksenia Sobchak in 2021.

Head and Host, Podcast Department

MBKh Media

02/2020–08/2021 · Russia

Created and developed multimedia projects, edited content, hosted podcasts, produced and managed stories, and led teams at the independent online outlet founded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Co-author

Don’t Interrupt

12/2018–03/2021

Co-created Russia’s first narrative podcast, which received more than 10 million listens and was named one of Apple Podcasts’ Best Podcasts in Russia in 2019.

Correspondent

Russian Reporter Magazine

04/2012–02/2020 · Russia

Wrote reports and analytical articles, created multimedia content, conducted and wrote up interviews, and edited stories for the socio-political magazine known for in-depth reporting.

Host, How Do People Sound

Silver Rain Radio

12/2014–10/2015 · Russia

Hosted the radio program How Do People Sound.

Correspondent

Public TV of Russia

04/2013–04/2015 · Russia

Reported for television and on air, produced TV stories, edited video and audio, and covered regional and national stories.

Correspondent and Broadcaster

Radio City-FM

04/2011–04/2013 · Russia

Reported on air, wrote and produced news and feature content, covered community stories, and hosted audio shows at the Moscow all-news station.

Editorial Intern

Echo of Moscow Radio

02/2011–03/2011 · Moscow, Russia

Completed an editorial internship at Echo of Moscow Radio.

Musical Editor, Author and Broadcaster

Radio Lotte

08/2010–02/2011 · Weimar, Germany

Worked as a music editor, program author, and broadcaster.

Editor and Correspondent

Kommersant-FM Radio

10/2009–04/2010 · Moscow, Russia

Edited and reported for the Moscow-based news radio station.

Author and Producer

Radioportal Podstantsiya

12/2008–03/2012 · Russia

Authored and produced programs for the Russian Foundation for Independent Radio Broadcasting’s radio portal.

Correspondent, News Editor and Web Editor

Novaya Gazeta

01/2007–10/2008 · Russia

Wrote and produced news, covered elections, political actions, and protests, and adapted and translated English-language content into Russian.

Writer and Contributor

Freelance contributions

Selected publications

Meduza · The New Times · Big City · Afisha

06 / Fellowships and Grants

Freedom of Expression

February 2020 · London, UK

Thomson Reuters Foundation

A Journey of Shared Discovery for Russian and American Journalists

June 2019 · Florida, USA

A competitive fellowship program supported by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Global Security Seminar

October 2014 · London, UK

The Thomson Reuters Foundation seminar brought together international journalists, security experts, and commentators to debate critical global threats and strengthen reporting on conflict and terrorism.

Open World Exchange Program

November 2013 · Colorado, USA

A U.S. Congress–funded professional exchange for individuals nominated for demonstrated leadership in their field.

Using New Media Tools

June 2011 · Stockholm, Sweden

Selected by the Foundation for Independent Radio for an educational media course in Sweden. The Stockholm program was coordinated by the FOJO Media Institute, Linnaeus University, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

07 / Podcasts

Since 2019, Davydova has created, produced, or edited more than 25 podcast series. Her work spans daily news, talk shows, documentary narratives, and true crime.

Co-creator · Narrative podcast · 2019–2021

Don’t Interrupt

A documentary podcast about life-changing moments. The show received more than 10 million listens and was named one of Apple Podcasts’ Best Podcasts in Russia in 2019.

Listen to podcast

Editor · Daily news podcast · 2023–2025