The study of social processes and the history of Russian political science is an interesting and exciting process. However, participation in such work requires special training from a person. Valery Fedorov is one such specialist.
Starting conditions
The ruling elite in any state closely monitors the moods and unrest that are forming in society. For this purpose, special structures are being created. In Russia, there is a Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM), which has been headed by Valery Valeryevich Fedorov for many years. For this Center and other similar organizations, specialists are being trained and methodological materials are being developed. Until recently, domestic educational institutions did not prepare specialists of this profile. However, the landslide change in the political system and social institutions made it necessary to pay close attention to this problem.
Valery Fedorov was born on September 11, 1974 in an ordinary Soviet family. Parents at that time lived in the famous city of Tver, which in that chronological period was called Kalinin. My father worked in construction. Mother taught Russian language and literature in high school. The boy was not even a year old when the family, due to the circumstances that arose, moved to a permanent place of residence in Kerch. Here he received a birth certificate and at the age of seven he went to school.
The boy grew up and developed in a supportive environment. There were many books in the house, and Valery learned to read early. Already in elementary school, he visited the city library. Fedorov studied well. Both mathematics and a foreign language were easy for him. Despite this, the future sociologist's favorite subjects were history and literature. When the time came, he joined the Komsomol. And not only entered, but also began to actively participate in various events. Fedorov was repeatedly elected as a delegate to the regional Komsomol conference, and even to the republican congress in the city of Kiev.
In high school, Valery began to think about his future and his choice of profession. He was attracted by a career as a diplomat. He was fluent in English and could become a translator. Poor educational options were discarded as specific deadlines approached. As a result, Fedorov went to the capital and entered the political department of the philosophy faculty of Moscow State University. He received his student card at the end of August 1991. And in December the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
Professional activity
In the first half of the 90s, Fedorov received his education and managed to participate in studies that were carried out on the streets of Moscow and other cities. At first, he was recruited into the staff of the Russian-American University to study the features of mass political movements that were in all regions of the country. For almost ten years, starting in 1993, Valery was listed as a researcher at the Center for Current Politics in Russia. Moving up the career ladder, he created a team of capable sociologists around him.
Fedorov looked at all procedures at that time from a pragmatic point of view. Companies doing business determine the size of the target audience, ready to buy a new product. In turn, it is vitally important for the political authorities to know how the population reacts to the next package of adopted laws. And in fact, and in another case, research is carried out using similar methods. Valery used this simple rule when fulfilling specific orders. Fedorov's creativity was appreciated and invited to a responsible position.
Director of VTsIOM
In 2003, Valery Fedorov was appointed head of the famous VTsIOM. The political leadership and public organizations were in dire need of reliable information about the mood of the electorate. Obtaining this data requires research tools, methodological tools for classifying the information received, and verification mechanisms. Fedorov solved this difficult problem consistently and thoroughly. In order to reliably depict political sentiments, it is necessary to study the sentiments of various social groups. We need to work with entrepreneurs, students, and retirees.
The Center's specialists conducted the first telephone survey of respondents in 2016. Questioning remains an old method of research, but the reliability of the data obtained leaves much to be desired. With the advent of interactive methods, sociologists began to actively use the possibilities of the Internet. Citation index research has also become one of the tools. And the process of expanding the methodological base continues.
Recognition and privacy
Valery Fedorov's career as a researcher and administrator was quite successful. For his work, he was repeatedly awarded government and public awards. He has the Order of Friendship, a medal "For Merit to the Fatherland". Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation. Certificates of honor from the Central Election Commission and the Public Chamber.
In Fedorov's personal life, stability and complete order. He has been legally married for a long time. The husband and wife are raising two daughters - Ekaterina and Sophia. Who they will be by profession, no one knows yet. Parents prefer not to influence the choice and completely trust their children in this matter. There is still a lot of time and opportunities ahead.
