Anton Zykov

MPhil Modern South Asian Studies, 2011
St Antony's College
Funding: Weidenfeld

Anton is a Context Specialist / Representative for the MSF mission in Ethiopia. He has a long career in humanitarian agencies. His experience in the field encompasses the Danish Red Cross, Oxfam Novib and currently MSF.

During the past years, his work focused on access negotiations, GR, and representation. Previously he managed projects and coordinated programmes for local NGOs and served as a diplomat at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

His academic background focused on South and Western Asian studies, subjects he used to teach at Uppsala University and Higher School of Economics (HSE), as well as International Conflicts, the course he is currently running at HSE.

“I have been part of access negotiations in several challenging humanitarian contexts where MSF has been conducting its medical activities. I have gained necessary expertise to do this job thanks to the WHT Scholarship that has provided me with the initial insight into the international environment thought visits to UNHCR and WWF HQs. Those research trips shaped my professional worldview and greatly broadened the scope of my life opportunities.”