In 2025, José Késsio Lemos, a Brazilian scholar in International Relations specializing in energy geopolitics, completed the InteRussia fellowship in Energy. In this interview, he discusses why direct engagement with Russian scholars was indispensable for his research, how Russian framings of the energy transition differ from Western debates, and what surprised him most about everyday life in Russia.
— Could you start by introducing yourself and telling us why you decided to apply for the fellowship?
My name is José Késsio Lemos. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of São Paulo and a visiting researcher at the University of Groningen, where I study energy security and great-power competition.
Russia occupies a central position in both my research and the broader dynamics of global energy geopolitics. The InteRussia program offered something genuinely rare: direct engagement with Russian scholars and institutions, which is methodologically indispensable for producing analytically balanced research on a country that is often studied from the outside. I applied for the fellowship because I believed that firsthand experience would sharpen my empirical grounding in ways that documents and secondary sources simply cannot replicate.
— How was the program organized?
The program ran from late July through late August and was structured in two phases. The first was set in St. Petersburg and consisted of an intensive series of lectures covering international energy security, oil and gas markets, the energy transition, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and alternative transport fuels. The sessions on energy transition and geopolitics stood out to me, especially those discussing the uncertainties of the global transition and fragile energy markets. They offered a very different framing compared to Western academic debates.
The second phase brought participants to Moscow for a series of institutional visits, including the JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System, the Transneft Research Institute, the Global Energy Association, Rosseti's Medvedevskaya Digital Substation, and a meeting with the management of the BRICS International TV Network, among others. Back in St. Petersburg, we visited the KINEF oil refinery, a fuel terminal, an intelligent digital network laboratory and the Gazprom headquarters at the Lakhta Center. The program also included meetings at the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund and with a representative of the St. Petersburg City Administration, alongside cultural visits to the Hermitage, Peterhof, Tsarskoe Selo, and the Tretyakov Gallery.
— What research project did you work on during the fellowship?
During the fellowship, I worked on a research project assessing how sanctions against Russia affected the competitiveness of German industry, with particular attention to energy-intensive sectors and the transmission of higher energy costs through production chains. The program helped me sharpen the analytical framing and refine the questions I was asking. I am currently working on an article and a book chapter where I will be able to incorporate parts of this research, and I also plan to publish a dedicated article on this topic in the future.
— Beyond the academics, what were your impressions of life in Russia?
What struck me most during my time in Russia was how normal daily life felt compared to the highly politicized image often seen abroad. Cities like St. Petersburg felt very cultured and walkable, with a strong sense of history embedded in everyday spaces. Social interactions tended to be formal at first, but once that initial distance was crossed, people were quite warm and curious, especially when they learned we were from Latin America. I also noticed a strong sense of order and institutional structure in public life, which shaped how the fellowship itself was organized.
— Can you describe a particularly memorable cultural visit?
Several experiences stayed with me, but visiting places like the Hermitage and Peterhof was particularly impactful. These are not just tourist sites, they convey a deep historical continuity that helps explain Russia’s strong civilizational identity. I was also positively surprised by smaller, everyday moments, like conversations with locals during city walks or museum visits. These interactions helped humanize the experience and reminded me that cultural understanding often comes from simple, unscripted encounters.
— What were the most valuable professional takeaways from the fellowship?
The most valuable result of the fellowship was that the experience was foundational for my postdoctoral research. My project examined the evolution of Russian and European Union energy policies, particularly in the context of growing geopolitical tensions and the restructuring of global energy markets. Being in Russia allowed me to observe how these transformations are framed domestically, which is difficult to capture through documents alone.
The program also gave me a clearer sense of how Russian scholars and institutions interpret sanctions, energy sovereignty, and the long-term trajectory of the energy transition. This helped me refine both the empirical grounding and the analytical balance of my research, especially when comparing Russian and European policy trajectories. In that sense, the fellowship did not just add context, it reshaped how I approach the subject methodologically, reinforcing the importance of engaging multiple perspectives when studying contested geopolitical issues.
— Did you make meaningful connections during the program?
I made great friends during the fellowship — both among the other participants and within the organizing team. The colleagues in the program created a strong sense of camaraderie, and the organizers were incredibly supportive and genuinely kind throughout the entire stay. Those relationships went beyond professional networking and became truly meaningful on a personal level. I sincerely hope to see them again in the near future. I can say that this was one of the most special parts of the experience.
— Did the fellowship lead to any new opportunities?
One concrete outcome of the program was an invitation from the University of São Paulo to deliver a seminar where I shared both my academic insights and personal impressions from my time in Russia. It was a valuable opportunity to translate the fellowship into a broader intellectual discussion, reflecting on energy geopolitics, academic exchange, and the importance of engaging multiple perspectives in international research.
In addition, Professor Stanislav Babich of St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON) invited me to participate in academic events at Russian universities, which was especially meaningful as it signaled continued scholarly dialogue beyond the fellowship itself.
— What advice would you give to young professionals considering applying for the fellowship?
If I could give them any advice, I would say this: go with curiosity and an open mind. The real value of the program comes from engaging seriously with perspectives that may differ from your own. Take the academic component seriously, but also embrace the cultural and human side of the experience — conversations, visits, and informal moments often leave the deepest impressions. If you approach it with intellectual honesty and genuine curiosity, it will be a very enriching experience both professionally and personally.
— Could you start by introducing yourself and telling us why you decided to apply for the fellowship?
My name is José Késsio Lemos. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of São Paulo and a visiting researcher at the University of Groningen, where I study energy security and great-power competition.
Russia occupies a central position in both my research and the broader dynamics of global energy geopolitics. The InteRussia program offered something genuinely rare: direct engagement with Russian scholars and institutions, which is methodologically indispensable for producing analytically balanced research on a country that is often studied from the outside. I applied for the fellowship because I believed that firsthand experience would sharpen my empirical grounding in ways that documents and secondary sources simply cannot replicate.
— How was the program organized?
The program ran from late July through late August and was structured in two phases. The first was set in St. Petersburg and consisted of an intensive series of lectures covering international energy security, oil and gas markets, the energy transition, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and alternative transport fuels. The sessions on energy transition and geopolitics stood out to me, especially those discussing the uncertainties of the global transition and fragile energy markets. They offered a very different framing compared to Western academic debates.
The second phase brought participants to Moscow for a series of institutional visits, including the JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System, the Transneft Research Institute, the Global Energy Association, Rosseti's Medvedevskaya Digital Substation, and a meeting with the management of the BRICS International TV Network, among others. Back in St. Petersburg, we visited the KINEF oil refinery, a fuel terminal, an intelligent digital network laboratory and the Gazprom headquarters at the Lakhta Center. The program also included meetings at the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund and with a representative of the St. Petersburg City Administration, alongside cultural visits to the Hermitage, Peterhof, Tsarskoe Selo, and the Tretyakov Gallery.
— What research project did you work on during the fellowship?
During the fellowship, I worked on a research project assessing how sanctions against Russia affected the competitiveness of German industry, with particular attention to energy-intensive sectors and the transmission of higher energy costs through production chains. The program helped me sharpen the analytical framing and refine the questions I was asking. I am currently working on an article and a book chapter where I will be able to incorporate parts of this research, and I also plan to publish a dedicated article on this topic in the future.
— Beyond the academics, what were your impressions of life in Russia?
What struck me most during my time in Russia was how normal daily life felt compared to the highly politicized image often seen abroad. Cities like St. Petersburg felt very cultured and walkable, with a strong sense of history embedded in everyday spaces. Social interactions tended to be formal at first, but once that initial distance was crossed, people were quite warm and curious, especially when they learned we were from Latin America. I also noticed a strong sense of order and institutional structure in public life, which shaped how the fellowship itself was organized.
— Can you describe a particularly memorable cultural visit?
Several experiences stayed with me, but visiting places like the Hermitage and Peterhof was particularly impactful. These are not just tourist sites, they convey a deep historical continuity that helps explain Russia’s strong civilizational identity. I was also positively surprised by smaller, everyday moments, like conversations with locals during city walks or museum visits. These interactions helped humanize the experience and reminded me that cultural understanding often comes from simple, unscripted encounters.
— What were the most valuable professional takeaways from the fellowship?
The most valuable result of the fellowship was that the experience was foundational for my postdoctoral research. My project examined the evolution of Russian and European Union energy policies, particularly in the context of growing geopolitical tensions and the restructuring of global energy markets. Being in Russia allowed me to observe how these transformations are framed domestically, which is difficult to capture through documents alone.
The program also gave me a clearer sense of how Russian scholars and institutions interpret sanctions, energy sovereignty, and the long-term trajectory of the energy transition. This helped me refine both the empirical grounding and the analytical balance of my research, especially when comparing Russian and European policy trajectories. In that sense, the fellowship did not just add context, it reshaped how I approach the subject methodologically, reinforcing the importance of engaging multiple perspectives when studying contested geopolitical issues.
— Did you make meaningful connections during the program?
I made great friends during the fellowship — both among the other participants and within the organizing team. The colleagues in the program created a strong sense of camaraderie, and the organizers were incredibly supportive and genuinely kind throughout the entire stay. Those relationships went beyond professional networking and became truly meaningful on a personal level. I sincerely hope to see them again in the near future. I can say that this was one of the most special parts of the experience.
— Did the fellowship lead to any new opportunities?
One concrete outcome of the program was an invitation from the University of São Paulo to deliver a seminar where I shared both my academic insights and personal impressions from my time in Russia. It was a valuable opportunity to translate the fellowship into a broader intellectual discussion, reflecting on energy geopolitics, academic exchange, and the importance of engaging multiple perspectives in international research.
In addition, Professor Stanislav Babich of St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON) invited me to participate in academic events at Russian universities, which was especially meaningful as it signaled continued scholarly dialogue beyond the fellowship itself.
— What advice would you give to young professionals considering applying for the fellowship?
If I could give them any advice, I would say this: go with curiosity and an open mind. The real value of the program comes from engaging seriously with perspectives that may differ from your own. Take the academic component seriously, but also embrace the cultural and human side of the experience — conversations, visits, and informal moments often leave the deepest impressions. If you approach it with intellectual honesty and genuine curiosity, it will be a very enriching experience both professionally and personally.
