Research Interests and Specialization

With an M.A. in Applied Linguistics and a Ph.D. in Literature and Cultural Studies (both concentrating on Russian area studies), I have focused much of my work on the complex interrelationship between language, culture, and politics, particularly during times of radical political and social change. My first book, Speaking in Soviet Tongues: Language Culture and the Politics of Voice in Early Soviet Russia examines the emergence of a new language of state in the decades following the Bolshevik Revolution, and the role played in that process by institutions of literature, linguistics, journalism, and education. My second book, After Newspeak: Language Culture and Politics in Russia from Gorbachev to Putin (Cornell University Press, 2014) offers a cultural history of the Russian language since the collapse of the Soviet Union. I’ve also co-edited the volume, Digital Russia: The Language, Culture, and Politics of New Media Communication (Routledge, 2014).

My latest book, Networking Putinism: The Rhetoric of Power in the Digital Age (Cornell U.P., at press, anticipated January 2026), examines the impact of the internet and social media on political discourse spanning the presidency of Vladimir Putin (and the life of the Russian-language internet to date). I completed it thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a year-long residential fellowship from the National Humanities Center.

I’ve recently published an extended encyclopedia article on the history of Russian political language and its study

and a peer-reviewed article on the rhetoric of Russian television propaganda during the first months of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Current projects have me venturing further into the area of Internet and New Media Studies and their impact on Russian politics and civil communication in general. See my Current Research and  Publications page for recent lectures and articles on this topic.

Recent media interviews, and other public outreach events include…

  • Interview. “Trump Claims Putin is ‘Tapping Him Along’…,” with “Background Briefing with Ian Masters,” KPKM-FM radio, Los Angeles (8 June 2025)
  • Interview. “Russia Claims Victory After Trump’s Call With Putin…,” with “Background Briefing with Ian Masters,” KPKM-FM radio, Los Angeles (19 March 2025)
  • Interview on Russian media’s reaction to Biden approval of Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles directed at targets inside Russia, with “Background Briefing with Ian Masters,” KPKM-FM radio, Los Angeles (20 November 2024)

Teaching

I’ve taught a number of courses in Russian language, literature, and culture during my tenure at UF, including courses on Russian culture, literature, and folklore, and language courses from intermediate Russian to advanced electives. Click here for a schedule of my upcoming courses.

Follow the menu-bar links for details

Contact Information

Office: 261 Dauer Hall
Phone: (352) 273-3786
Email: mgorham@ufl.edu

Mailing address:
Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
University of Florida
P.O. Box 115565
Gainesville, FL 32611-5565.