Pavlo Karaichentsev

Pavlo Karaichentsev is a qualitative researcher and focus group moderator, head analyst at SmartPoll in Kyiv.

From client to moderator

He commissioned research before he conducted it. Reading the reports he received, he did not find what a decision actually required, and began moderating himself.

That is the origin of the approach: the moderator should know which decision the study serves, and steer the discussion towards it.

First profession

He trained and worked as an editor in Kyiv newspapers, and took part in launching a national business daily. The editorial habit shows in the deliverable: a five-page note written to be read to the end.

Research and projects

Research work at an integrated communications agency; training seminars for local communities; SmartPoll since 2015.

Humanitarian projects with a national association of communities and with the International Organization for Migration. Reconstruction projects under EU4Reconstruction. Trainer and moderator for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Academic work

In 2023 and 2025 he surveyed Hungarians of Transcarpathia in their own language, with the sociology department of Uzhhorod National University. Hungarian outlets reported the results.

His two 2025 articles address the moderator’s role and the problem of moderator bias in focus groups.

What he does not do

He does not name clients and does not comment on politics in public. He speaks about method.