Who shapes our conversations? Ukrainian influencers on propaganda, language, and community
31 October 2026
About the round table talk
“Who shapes our conversations? Ukrainian influencers on propaganda, language, and community”
The discussion will bring together three prominent Ukrainian-language social media influencers, who represent different migration experiences, with researchers from the University of Alberta. Through a moderated conversation, the participants will reflect on language use, identity formation, cultural positioning in the diaspora, and the role of social media in shaping community discussions and everyday experiences. Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is part of a University of Alberta research study titled “Influencing and mediating language, culture, and memory: Media influencers in dialogue with the Ukrainian immigrant community.” Its objective is to explore language, culture, identity, belonging, and the role of Ukrainian-language social media influencers within the Ukrainian immigrant community in Alberta. Additional information about the study will be available at the round-table venue.
Adult members of the public attending the round table will be invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire (U of A Research Ethics ID: Pro00168352). The questionnaire will take approximately 10–15 minutes to complete and may be submitted either on paper or electronically using a QR code. Participation is entirely voluntary and is not required in order to attend the event. Questionnaire respondents who wish to share their experiences in greater depth may also choose to fill out a separate contact form to indicate their interest in a voluntary follow-up interview.
If you have any questions about the round-table talk or the research study, please contact the study’s research assistant, Anna Olenenko, at aolenenk@ualberta.ca.
We look forward to seeing you there!
*Light refreshments will be provided.
About the round table participants
Anhelina Taran is a recipient of the Ukrainian Canadian Youth Leadership Award of Excellence (2025), presented by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and a media producer, presenter, and founder of the Taran Agency. With over seven years of experience in television and radio, she combines storytelling, video production, communications, and events to connect people, communities, and brands. Her agency produces video content and develops clients’ YouTube channels, helping them to find their voice and grow their audiences. In 2023, she launched “Oh, Canada,” Calgary’s first weekly Ukrainian-language news program on YouTube. Her agency also leads marketing, PR, events, and partnerships, creating opportunities for dialogue, visibility, and belonging.
Yulianna Voloshyna was born in Ukraine and lives in Edmonton, Alberta. She holds a PhD (Candidate of Economic Sciences) and has over twenty years’ experience in marketing, communications, and education, including as a university professor of marketing and faculty vice-dean of international relations. She is the founder and editor of one of the largest Ukrainian-language media platforms in Canada — the bilingual (Ukrainian-English) website YuliannaVoloshyna.com. With more than 35,000 followers, the platform’s publications receive 8 to 10 million views every month, offering local news, verified information, and practical resources for newcomers and established community members. Yulianna also serves on the executive boards of several local Ukrainian-Canadian non-profit organizations.
Dmytro Gospodinov is the executive producer of UCAN Radio (Ukrainian Radio of Canada) and the founder of UCAN Film, a Calgary-based video production and broadcasting studio. Through UCAN Radio, he is building a Ukrainian-language media network connecting communities across Canada, including Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver. The network produces daily national and local news in Ukrainian, develops digital media platforms, and organizes community events. Dmytro’s work focuses on preserving and promoting the Ukrainian language, strengthening cultural identity, amplifying Ukrainian voices, and encouraging dialogue within Canada's evolving Ukrainian diaspora. By combining traditional broadcasting with digital storytelling and community engagement, Dmytro aims to expand Ukrainian representation in Canada’s media landscape and help to build a more connected and informed Ukrainian community.
Moderators: Alla Nedashkivska, Oleksandr Pankieiev
