Robin is keenly fascinated by Soviet history, especially the period following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the 1980s. He has written two dissertations on the social impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and traveled to the abandoned nuclear town of Pripyat and the exclusion zone. He also has a passion for the history of space exploration, photography, and Japanese folklore. He holds a BA in History from Bangor University and an MA in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics from UCL. In his spare time, he explores abandoned Soviet military bases and documents his experiences through his photography.
Education
MA Russian and Post-Soviet Politics — University College London, 2016
BA History — Bangor University, 2014
Areas of Expertise
1993 Russian Constitutional Crisis: Yeltsin’s Showdown With Parliament
The 1993 Russian Constitutional Crisis was a showdown between President Boris Yeltsin and the Parliament. How did this happen, and what were the lasting consequences?
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project: A Soviet-American Handshake in Space
At the height of the Cold War, astronauts from the US and USSR worked together to realize the remarkable Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
Shock Therapy in Russia: The Economic Upheaval of the 1990s
To jumpstart the economy after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia used a radical policy of shock therapy. What was it and how did it work?
The Bataan Death March: A Journey Through Hell
The Bataan Death March was one of the darkest episodes for Allied forces in the Pacific during World War II.
World War I Overview: Causes and Key Events
Understanding the key causes and consequences of World War I provides valuable insight into a conflict that changed the course of modern history.
Mao’s Most Loyal Followers Died in the Mysterious Lin Biao Incident. What Happened?
In 1971, one of Mao Zedong’s most loyal followers died in a mysterious plane crash in what became known as the “Lin Biao incident.”
8 People Who Shaped the Soviet Space Program
Achieving many space firsts, the men and women of the Soviet space program accomplished incredible things.
The Unknown Nuclear Disaster That the Soviet Union Kept Secret for Decade
The Kyshtym disaster was one of the most damaging nuclear incidents in the Soviet Union, but was kept secret for decades.
The Woman Who Revealed the Forbidden Truth About Chernobyl
The full extent of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was kept hidden for years until one brave individual exposed the truth.
8 Greatest Failures of the Soviet Space Program
The Soviet space program was responsible for some of the world’s greatest achievements in space exploration, but these achievements were also accompanied by monumental failures.
8 Mysterious Closed Cities of the Soviet Union
Secretive and enigmatic, the Soviet Union had many cities that were closed off from the outside world.
The 8 Most Radioactive Places on Earth
Some places on Earth are so radioactive, they really shouldn’t be visited!