I favour stories that subvert stereotypes. Illicit phenomena, grassroots movements and unexpected examples of human agency on the global peripheries have always been some of my main interests. I feel most alive in border regions and grey zones, but you can also find me reporting from the middle of the city.

The breadth of my natural curiosity is reflected in the range of topics I write on: politics, gender, poverty, exclusion, migration, sport, economy, the environment, natural resources…

I published my first journal – perhaps more of an underground zine – with a friend when we were just 18. For a couple of rebellious middle-school students it was all rather professionally laid out, and we took great care over the contents and editorial process.

Later on, I dedicated myself to scholarly work, and followed my journalistic passions alongside more scientific writing. Over time, I was to discover that well-grounded storytelling that makes a tangible difference is more closely aligned to my values and uses my natural skills and traits best. This is where I am now: ranging widely as a freelance journalist.

Old habits die hard. As a trained ethnologist, I prefer writing close to the people. Achieving a good rapport with my protagonists is always a key concern. The safety of my team is as vital to me as that of my sources. This is especially important, as I am often working in politically contested environments.

Solid fact-checking is another good habit that I have held on to from my university career. Being a stickler for accuracy means that I sometimes work too slowly for my liking, but it guarantees high-quality data and reliable information.

As someone born and socialized in Eastern Europe but who has spent most of her career in the West, I have perfect positionality to bridge the inevitable communication gaps that arise between different cultures and divergent worldviews.

I have lived in Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. I have also worked in Belarus, China and Kyrgyzstan. Today I divide my time between Zürich, Warsaw and Bishkek, always ready to embark on a new trip.

I write in English, Polish and German. I’m fluent in Russian, used to be fluent in Mongolian and once spoke ‘brog-skad, a nomadic dialect of Tibet. I have a basic command of Ukrainian.