Societal Transformations and Social Inequalities

Previous and Current Research

• Mass perception of Social Inequality in Ukrainian society; collective research project granted by International Renaissance Foundation, 2018-2019; academic coordinator;

• Diagnostics of social tension in society; individual research project granted by University of Alberta (Canada), Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 2016-2017;

• Tendencies in Structural Transformations of Ukrainian society under globalization and European integration; collective research project sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 2014-2015; project leader;

• Comparing Demographic Trends and Labor Market Fluctuations in Slovenia and Ukraine during the period 2000-2014, 2013-2014, co-sponsored by Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Academy of Sciences of Republic of Slovenia; national project leader;

• Radicalization of Social Communities towards Support of Terrorism: sociological investigation and  mathematical modeling; collaborative linkage project granted by NATO Science Peace and Security Programme, Ref. Nr.983046, 2011-2014; researcher;

• European visions and divisions: comparative studies for advances in teaching Sociology; ReSET, HESP\OSI granted, 2009-2012; project academic director;

• Critical transition in social networks supporting terrorism: social empirical study and modelling by random graphs; collaborative linkage project granted by NATO Programme Security Through Science, 2007 – 2010; researcher;

• Comparative Societal Integration of Turkish and Related Minorities:  institutional strategies in INTAS and NIS countries; INTAS research grant, 2005-2007; national coordinator;      etc.

    Sociological model of structural transformations under post-Socialism is developed with application of agency, structural and neo-institutional theoretical approach. The complex indicators for evaluation of social transformations within the societal quality dimensions were elaborated and applied in empirical study. The hypothesis about the imperial relics in political culture in Eastern European societies was theoretically grounded and empirically proved that allowed us to make a conclusion concerning post-imperial cultural legacy in mass consciousness and behavior. The steady patterns of values and attitudes in mass consciousness in respect to dominance relations, which basically depend on a type of former empire (monarchic, bureaucratic, colonial etc.) and its level of modernization (in dimensions of liberalization, secularization, industrialization) are defined as a ‘imperial-periphery cultural legacy’. The imperial cultural legacy impacted significantly on the post-Socialist transformation pathways in Eastern Europe, formed the values–behavioral matrix of national capacity for further societal development. Cultural and transformation differences between countries which belong to various post-imperial areas are more significant than differences between countries inside the areas. It is argued that Ukraine is divided on three post-imperial cultural and behavioral areas that is resulted in week chances of the European-oriented development of the nation.

It is verified that the social attitudes and expectations of citizens towards societal integration and welfare regime depend essentially on individual experience of interaction between an individual and public institutes as well as a social system as whole. The institutional and cultural (ideological) factors appear as most influence in determination of attitudes towards welfare regime. The empirical analysis fixes a very unsteady current process of welfare development and of searching for fitter forms of social contracts in different types of European societies. The post-socialist states form a special ‘worlds’ of welfare in European space, in which the post-Soviet states are a quite distinct family.

The radicalization is conceptualized as a non-linear networked social process of self-organization in large-scale social milieus on the bases of critical transition in beliefs and attitudes, which lead to structuration of radical social networks. The Agent-Cultural sociological model of radicalization of migrant social milieus (ACSMR) is developed for the monitoring and predicting the development over time of social milieus of the religious-concerned immigrants towards support of political violence. For a reduction of the complexity of the dynamic structural properties of radicalized groups, we define both the factors influencing on radicalization and the critical conditions for transition of social milieus to the radical state.  

Future Projects and Goals

The topic of social inequality remains in the core of the research interests of the group. We are going to concentrate our research on the intersectional approach for revealing of the complex models of reproducing and arriving new social inequality forms resulted the rapid changes in a society. The multidimensional and intersectional influence of regional, class, generational and gender parameters will be tested and to model.

The new project “Collective behavior in social and other networks” continues our previous research on structural changes, mass behaviour and radicalization of social networks. The research focus will be paid to the web-organized social networks which became an effective tool for organization and changes of social relations. The absence of mandatory verification requirements of each page in web-organized social networks simplifies the task for radicals, helps them spread their ideas incognito under pseudonyms, which further makes it impossible to bring them to justice. For terrorists SNs have quickly become the best way to entice people to join their ranks and a tool for conducting propaganda. The goal of new project is to develop a mathematical model that will be ready for use in monitoring of a real social network state.

Other new project is aimed at study of empirical models of integration behaviour of the forced replacement persons (migrants). We are interested in achievement of two main outcomes: one of them is theoretical, and other one is policy-related. Theoretical goal is development of the sociological theory of integration and adaptation of migrants in crises society. The policy-related goal is to embed the empirical model of integration behaviour of different groups of forced replacement persons to public policy concerning these persons. The project is grounded on the findings of our previous investigation of interethnic integration, social inequalities and radicalization.

Selected Publications

Book contributions

•        KUTSENKO O., GORBACHYK A. (2018) WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL WELLBEING?  COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MASS ATTITUDES IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF EUROPEAN WELFARE REGIMES. IN: Ukrainian Sociology In The 21st Century: Theory, Methods, Research Results [Monography] \ Bakirov V., Golovakha E. (Eds.). – Kharkiv: Karazin National University Publishers, 2018. – Pp. 199-226.  (in English)

•        Kutsenko O., Gorbachyk A., Siry E., Saveliev Y. (2017) Structural Transformations Tendencies in Ukrainian Society under Globalization and European Integration Тенденції структурної трансформації українського суспільства в контексті глобалізації та європейської інтеграції  [Monography] Certificate № 69535, 03.01.2017. – 199 p. (in Ukrainian)

•        Kutsenko O., Gorbachyk A. (2015) Post-imperial Regions: Associated Dependence in Est European Development. In: O.Shkaratan, V.Leksina, G.Yastrebov (Eds.) Russia as civilization: materials for consideration  [Monography]. — Part 11. - Moscow: State Research University «High School of Economics». – Pp. 441-464. (in Russian)

•        Kutsenko, O. (2014)  How much the regions in Ukraine are different? (Насколько регионы Украины различны?)   In: Ab Imperio. Исследования по новой имперской истории и национализму в постсоветском пространстве – 3 / 2014. – С.124-133 . (In Russian)

•        Kutsenko O. (2012) Social inequality. In: Stable Human Development: provision of justice \ The National Report (ed. By E.Libanova). – Institute of Demography and Social Research named after M.Ptukha, 2012. Pp.202-211. (in Ukrainian)

•        Kutsenko O. (2010) Individualism - Universalism Duality and Social Classes: comparing Ukraine, Poland, and Germany.  In: Sven Eliaeson & Nadezhda Georgieva (Eds.) New Europe: Growth to Limits? The Bardwell Press, Oxford, UK. -  Pp.371-409. (in English)

•        Kutsenko O. (2010) Turkish Minorities in Europe: Towards Societal Integration or the Rise of “Parallel Societies”? In: Neinz Fassmann, Max Haller, David Lane (Eds.).  Migration and Mobility in Europe. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK. - Pp.191-208.   (in English)

•        Kutsenko O.  (2010)  Do classes matter in political participation? In: Sociology of Politics: Reader (ed.by V.Poltorak, O.Petrov, A.Tolstoukhov). Vol.II, Part I. - Kyiv: European university Publishers. Pp. 260-286  (In Ukrainian)

•        Kutsenko O. (2009) Ukrajnai gazdasagi atalakulasok: quo vadis?   \\ Ukrajna Szinevaltozasa 1991-2008. Politikai, gazadasagi, kulturalis es nemzetisegi attitudok. Szerk.F.Csilla es V.Szereda. Pozsony: Kalligram Kiado, -  P.153-168.. (in Hungarian)

•        Kutsenko O. (2008) The Migration of the Crimean Tatars. In:  Nikolai Genov (Ed.).  Interethnic Integration in five European societies. [Monography]. -   Parts 3.1, 3.5. - Hamburg: KRAMER. - Pp. 104-114, 167-171. (in English)

•        Olga Kutsenko (2007) Monitoring of Events in the InterEthno INTAS project. In: Nikolai Genov (Ed.). Comparative Research in the Social Sciences [Monography]. - Sofia: REGLO; Paris: ISSC, 2007. Pp. 121-133. (in English)

•        Olga Kutsenko. (2004)  Process and Outcomes of Economic and Political Elite Networks Crystallization (the case of Ukraine). In: György Lengyel (Ed.) Cohesion and Division of Economic  Elites in Central and Eastern Europe [Monography]. Budapest:  Corvinus University of Budapest, Centre for Empirical Social Research, - Pp. 205-221. (in English)

•        Olga Kutsenko & Svitlana Babenko (Eds.) (2004) Changing Diversity: Vectors, Dimensions and Content of post-Communist Transformation / Под ред. О.Д.Куценко, С.С.Бабенко. [Monography]. –Kharkiv: V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University Publisher. – 366 p.  (in English)

Peer-reviewed articles

•        Kutsenko О. Sociology: Role Model in the Pathway between Extrims (ХІХ ISA World Congress Pointer). In: Sociology: Theory, Methods, Marketing. - №4, 2019. (in Ukr. and Rus.)

•        Kutsenko О. Modern Class Analysis Compendium (2018). In: Visnyk Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv: Sociology. – 1(9), 2018. -  P.55-57. (in Ukrainian)

•        Kutsenko O. PhD students in Ukraine: expectations and outcomes of scientific activities. In: Expectations and outcome of study / VIII. International Workshop at the University of Konstanz October 15-17, 2015 / AG Hochschulforschung + FREREF Réseau Uni 21. (in Eng.)
Куценко О. (2015) How to Terminate the War Not Only By Arm Efforts?  In: Philosophy Thinking. - №1, 2015. – Pp. 50-53. (in Ukrainian)

•        Kutsenko O.,,  Gorbachyk A. Welfare state in uncertainty: disparity in social expectations and attitudes \\ Corvinus Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. – 5 (2), 2014. – Pp. 65-96.  -  http://cjssp.uni-corvinus.hu/index.php/cjssp/article/view/118/pdf

•        Kutsenko O.,  Gorbachyk A.  PostImperial Regions^ associated dependence in East European development. In: ‘Universe of Russia’, State Research University “The High School of Economics”.- No.1. - 2014. - Pp. 60–86.    http://ecsocman.hse.ru/hsedata/2014/03/26/1318829752/mir%20rossii%20%E2%84%961_%202014%20[Pages%2060... %2086].pdf   In Russian (Куценко О.,, Горбачик А.  Постимперские регионы: ассоциированная зависимость в развитии восточной Европы  // Мир России. )

•        Kutsenko O., Gorbachyk A., and L.Berlyand.  Agent-Cultiural Model of Radicalization of Muslim Migrant’s Milieus   // Вісник Київського національного університету імені Тараса Шевченка. Соціологія -  2013 - №1. - с.84-87. (http://www.library.univ.kiev.ua/ukr/host/10.23.10.100/db/ftp/visnyk/soc_4_2013.pdf)

•        Kutsenko, O. Social Classes and Political mobilization (comparative analyses of European countries through a prism of  the triple class cleavages (Соціальні класи і політична мобілізація (порівняльний аналіз європейських країн крізь призму трьох типів класових розколів). In: Соціологія: теорія, методи, маркетинг. Інститут соціології НАН України – 2012 - №3 (http://i-soc.com.ua/journal/files/2012-3-ru1.pdf   (in Ukrainian)

•        Images of post-transformation structure of Ukrainian society / Olga Kutsenko. In: The Issues on Sociological Theory development (Ed. by V.Sudakov and O.Kutsenko), Kyiv: Logos Publishers, 2012. Pp.22-37. (in Russian)

•        Social Classes and Political Mobilization (comparative analyses of European states through the prism of three types of class cleavages) / Olga Kutsenko. In: Sociology: Theory, Method, Marketing. – No.3, 2012. – Kyiv: Institute of Sociology NASU  (In Russian and Ukrainian)

•        Legacy of State-Socialism in Political Culture of contemporary Ukrainian Societies / Olga Kutsenko. In: Visnyk of Kharkiv National University named after V.Karazin, Vol. 993. – 2012. -  Pp.79-88 (In Russian)

•        Welfare state in expectations of citizens: Ukrainian society in European prospects / Olga Kutsenko, Andrii Gorbachyk.  In:  Visnyk of Kharkiv National University named after V.Karazin, Vol.941. – 2011. -  Pp.111-124. (In Ukrainian)

•        Study of regularities in post_Socialist transformation in Eastern Europe / Olga Kutsenko. In: Visnyk of Kyiv National University named after T.Shevchenko, No.1-2, 2011.  (In Russian)

•        Forming Institutional Design and Social Ambiguities in Contemporary Ukraine / Olga Kutsenko. In: The Issues on Sociological Theory development: social integration and social inequalities under contemporary societal transformations  (Ed. by V.Sudakov, O.Kutsenko). – Kyiv: Kyiv University Publishers, 2009. Pp. 17-25. (In Ukrainian)

•        Society and Sociological Intervention: from functioning to inversion between subject and object / Olga Kutsenko. In: Sociological Journal (Социологический журнал). – Moscow: IS RAS, 2009.  №2http://www.isras.ru/files/File/Sociologymagazin/Socmag_02_2009/06_Kuzenko.pdf.

•        Ukrainian society: is societal integration possible? / Olga Kutsenko. In: Proceeding of Scientific Workshop of L’viv Sociological Forum. L’viv: Posvit Publishers, 2009. Pp. 100-105. (In Ukrainian)

•        European visions and divisions: comparative research for development of Sociology teaching / O.Kutsenko, S.Babenko.  In: Sociology: Theory, Methods, Marketing. Scientific journal. – Kyiv: IS NASU, 2009. No. 4, Pp. 186-194. (In Russian and Ukrainian)

•        Ukrainian Sociology in European context / Olga Kutsenko. In: Contemporary State and Prospects for Development of Sociology in Ukraine and Europe (Ed. by E.Golovakha). Kyiv: IS NASU, 2008. Pp.25-46. (In Russian)

•        Towards Societal Integration or to Development of the ‘Parallel Societies’? / Olga Kutsenko. In: Sociology: Theory, Methods, Marketing. Scientific journal. – Kyiv: IS NASU, 2008. No.1, Pp. 140-165. (In Russian and Ukrainian) http://i-soc.com.ua/journal/08_Kutzenko.pdf.

Contacts

Homepage: http://www.socd.univ.kiev.ua/uk/person/kucenko-olga-dmitrivna


        e-mail: olga.kutsenko@knu.ua

Group leader : Prof., Dr. Sociol. Sci. Olga Kutsenko 

Current position: Head of Social Structure and Social Relations Department (since 2007);

Education: Academic rank of Professor in Sociology (2003); Degree of Doctor of Science in Sociology, Kharkiv National University, Ukraine (2001); Candidate of Science in Philosophy (PhD), Kharkiv State University (1990); Qualification Degree (Diploma) in Sociology and Political Economy (MA), Kharkiv State University (1983).

Career: Leading Research Fellow (part-time position), Institute of Sociology at National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2006-2011); Head of Political Sociology and Research Departments at the School of Sociology,  Kharkiv National University named after V.Karazin (2005-2007).

Long and short-term visiting positions:

§ Lund University, Department of Social Sciences, visiting professor through Erasmus+  EU Program, April-May 2017; May 2019;

§ Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB), Germany (May-June 2007; May 2004), Visiting Professor (contract),

§ Cambridge University, UK, 1999, visiting Research Fellow through CHSh,

§ Central European University, Warsaw, Poland, 1998, CRC Program, research Fellow,

§ Association of the Dutch Universities, Hague-Utrecht, The Netherlands, 1997, Visiting Scholar through the TASIC sponsored Social Policy Program,

§ State University of New York (Albany), USA 1996, USIA IREX “Contemporary Issues” Program, visiting research Fellow. 

Other scientific activities (and related to it)

Special Counsel for Defense of Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Theses on Sociology affiliated at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev, Chair (since 2009); 

Scientific Counsel at Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Vice-chairwoman of the scientific section 20; (since 2017)

National Accreditation Committee at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, member of the Expert Counsel in Humanity and Social Sciences (since 2011);

Chief Editor of the academic journal Visnyk Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv: Sociology (since 2010);

Academic network for studies of Strategic Elites and European Enlargement (supported by the British Academy of Science, 2003-2007); etc.

Author of more than 190 scientific books, chapters and articles