I hold a PhD in linguistics (2000, Moscow State University) and a PhD in Translation Studies (2009, School of translation and interpretation, University of Ottawa). My first degree was in choir conducting, musicology and composition.

I have conducted research in translation studies, especially in the sociology of translation and the epistemology of translation studies. I have also studied lexicography and a number of aspects of Russian language and culture. 

More specifically, my primary academic interest is translation as a social activity. I have applied several sociological theories (notably, Luhmann's social systems theory, Bourdieu's theory of social fields and Habermas' theory of communicative action) to various aspects of the translation history of Kievan Rus', Muscovy and Russia. I have studied the social role of translation in the westernization of Russia in the eighteenth century (my research has been published as a monograph), the role women-translators played in the Russian history of translation; I published on the aspects of gender and sexuality as they manifested themselves in the Russian translation history; etc. (see Section 'Publications').

I am the founding Editor of the Routledge Introductions to Translation and Interpreting series. I am a member of the Editorial Boards of the journals Translation and Interpreting Studies (ATISA) and Translation and Society (John Benjamins Publishers). I regularly review article and book proposals and MSS for leading academic publishers (Routledge, John Benjamins, SAGE, Palgrave Macmillan).

I am the Director of the MA in Translation Studies at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Durham University, UK (see my profile at https://www.dur.ac.uk/mlac/postgraduate/transstuds/staff/display/?id=14203). I teach courses in translation theory, translation history and sociology of translation as well as contribute to the specialised English-Russian translation module. Additionally, I regularly participate in the work of summer translation schools and short-term trainings and give guest lectures in universities around the world.

I have also taught or consulted translator/interpreter training programmes in Russia, Canada, UK, South Africa, China, Slovenia.

Another aspect of my career is that I have expertise in conducting linguistic forensic examinations. Among my client companies have been Hogan Lovells International LLP, Bredin Prat and Kingsley Napley LLP, Ivanyan & Partners, Michelman & Robinson, LLP, Schellenberg Wittmer.

Beside my academic pursuits, I also do creative things, such as painting, composing, writing. You are welcome to check out the other pages of my website to learn more about me.

I can be contacted at sergeytlnv@gmail.com or by sending a message on this website (see the form below).

 orcid.org/0000-0001-7782-3038