Elizaveta Polyakova

Elizaveta Polyakova is a Sofia-based analyst and researcher at the Democracy Shield Task Force of the Center for the Study of Democracy, where she investigates foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and Russian disinformation networks across Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region.

With an academic background in critical security and gender studies, her work focuses on gender- and identity-based disinformation such as anti-gender and anti-LGBTQIA+ mobilisations in digital environments, as well as conflict-related and geopolitically motivated malign narratives. She has also contributed to advancing women’s political representation in Bulgaria through various research and advocacy initiatives.