Taras Holota

Kyiv, Ukraine 

Education  

Philology – Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv  

Expertise  

• Cybersecurity
• Tech
• Media
• Social media
• Mac
• iPhone

Taras’s professional path is defined by a unique convergence of two seemingly distinct worlds: classical philology and modern technology. His diverse experience spans from academic research in Ukrainian linguistics to the dynamic realms of IT and game development. Such an interdisciplinary approach is a testament to his belief that language and code are both tools for world-building, allowing him to adapt seamlessly to the evolving digital landscape.

Taras’s love for storytelling began in his childhood, where he was surrounded by his grandmother’s extensive library. While his grandfather, a public activist, and his grandmother, a lover of literature, instilled in him a respect for the written word, it was the immersive narratives of video games that sparked his curiosity about interactive storytelling.

During his school years, Taras’s creative potential was quickly identified and nurtured. He wrote and independently published his first books in English and Ukrainian while still a student. Although he initially pursued journalism, his deep fascination with the mechanics of language led him to pivot, and he eventually earned a Master’s degree with honors in Philology from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Ultimately, this academic journey culminated in him becoming a laureate of the Oles Honchar International Prize for his prose.

Currently, Taras appreciates the balance that allows him to merge his scholarly pursuits with his technical passions. He treats his work with the precision of a developer, an approach he honed while self-publishing his books, handling everything from writing to layout design. The "engineering" mindset extends to his free time, where he dives into 3D art, programming, and developing his own game in Unreal Engine 5. He believes that creativity shouldn't be limited to one medium, finding joy in switching between writing his PhD dissertation on countering disinformation and coding complex game mechanics.  

Taras considers himself fortunate to contribute to a field where understanding the nuances of information is vital. He is grateful to be a freelance writer at MacKeeper, as it provides him with the perfect platform to showcase his expertise by bridging the gap between complex technical concepts and engaging storytelling. By combining his research with technical skills, Taras looks forward to a future where he can help build a safer, more transparent digital environment for users everywhere.