Funding Opportunity: Postdoc Fellowships in Social Science of Russia (U. of Wisconsin-Madison)

Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2017

Postdoctoral fellowships in Social Science of Russia
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia (CREECA) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for three post-doctoral research fellowships for social scientists, funded with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The fellowships will commence in September 2017 and run through August 2018. Fellows are expected to conduct research about Russia in one or more of the five topic areas: 1) Education, labor markets, and inequality; 2) Law and society; 3) Political economy; 4) Identity, place, and migration; and 5) Demographic change. Fellows will be paired with UW-Madison faculty mentors with expertise in the appropriate topic. In addition to conducting research that will lead to scholarly publications, fellows will be expected to present their work in CREECA’s lecture series, to participate actively in the intellectual life of the Center, and to participate in a social science workshop for US and Russian scholars that will take place in summer 2018 (dates TBD).

Eligibility: Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent degree, such as the kandidat) in hand prior to September 2017, and they must have received the degree no earlier than January 1, 2012. Applicants who have not yet obtained their degree but plan to do so prior to September 2017 must furnish evidence (e.g. in their letters of reference) that they are well on track to have the degree in hand by that date. Doctoral candidates and those holding PhDs or other doctoral degrees from UW-Madison are ineligible.

Base rate (twelve-month salary): $65,000. Fellows will also receive a modest stipend for travel to academic conferences. The fellowship covers and basic health insurance for all fellows. Fellows must be prepared to cover their travel expenses to arrive in Madison for the fellowship.

All applicants are required to submit the following materials:

1) A cover letter. The letter should describe the research the applicant will conduct during the fellowship (including topic, data and methodology, and expected output by the end of the fellowship period), should indicate which topic area(s) of the five listed above the project falls under, and should identify a UW faculty member who would be an appropriate mentor for the applicant;
2) A current curriculum vitae;
3) An article-length writing sample;
4) Three confidential letters of recommendation from faculty members who can evaluate the applicant’s work and proposal.

Applicants should combine the first three items listed above into a single PDF, name the file using the convention “Applicant’s Last Name _CCNY Postdoc application” and email the PDF as an attachment to: russiaproject@creeca.wisc.edu

The three letters of recommendation should come either directly from the recommenders or from a dossier service. They should not be submitted by the applicant. Recommenders should submit the letters as email attachments to: russiaproject@creeca.wisc.edu

If necessary, materials may be sent in hard copy to:

Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia (CREECA)
Attention: Postdoctoral Fellowship Competition
210 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706-1397, USA

We especially encourage applications from Russia-based scholars, particularly those from regions outside Moscow. Cover letters, CVs, and writing samples must be submitted in English. (Letters of recommendation may be in English or Russian.)

Deadline: for full consideration, all materials must be received by March 15, 2017.

Questions may be addressed to Kristin Edwards at russiaproject@creeca.wisc.edu

Academic Program: Politics & Public Diplomacy in Contemporary Russia (American Councils)

Deadline for Applications: February 15, 2017

Politics & Public Diplomacy in Contemporary Russia
Program dates: June 20 – July 23, 2017

Are you interested in learning about the political situation in Russia today?  This five-week summer program is designed to give participants new insights into the historical and cultural trends that have shaped Russia in the late 20th and early 21st century. Through readings and intensive coursework in the form of lectures, seminars, and discussions conducted with faculty of Moscow International University, program participants gain a fuller understanding of the complex factors underlying politics and public diplomacy in Putin’s Russia.

The academic program features approximately twenty hours per week of in-class instruction.  As part of the academic program, participants receive six hours of instruction in Russian language each week. Participants are grouped according to language level for the Russian classes; no prior study of Russian is required.

The program includes weekly excursions and cultural activities, housing in MIU dormitories, two meals per day, a pre-departure orientation in Washington, DC, and visa and logistical support.

Applications are due by February 15, 2017, and can be found online.

Please direct any questions regarding the application process to the AC Study Abroad Team at American Councils for International Education (Phone: 202-833-7522; email:outbound@americancouncils.org).

For more information regarding the Politics & Public Diplomacy in Contemporary Russia Program, please visit their website. Financial aid is available on all programs.

Prof. Devel.: Language Teaching and Learning Research Grants (U. of Pittsburgh)

Deadline for Applications: February 17, 2017

The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Russian and East European Studies will award up to two Language Teaching and Learning Research (LTLR) Grants for scholars to conduct research projects on-site at the Slavic, East European, and Near Eastern Summer Language Institute (SLI) in June – July 2017. Funded projects must focus on the teaching and learning of one or more of the following priority languages: Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Polish, Russian, Turkish, and Ukrainian. Other languages that are taught at the SLI may be included in a project proposal in addition to these priority languages; see www.sli.pitt.edu for the complete list of language courses offered. Applicants may propose to be in residence in Pittsburgh for either all or a portion of the two-month duration of the SLI, according to the needs of their projects.

Guidelines: Applicants should propose projects that will take advantage of the unique environment and resources available at an intensive campus-based summer language institute, while not placing excessive demands on the time of SLI instructors or students. Projects involving the development of online language instructional materials are of particular interest, but other types of projects that make significant contributions to language teaching and learning will also be considered. Successful applicants will be responsible for obtaining IRB approval or exemption for research projects involving human subjects and for obtaining the informed consent of research subjects, if applicable, before starting to work on their projects.

LTLR grant recipients will be expected to submit a report of their research results to REES by October 2017; to acknowledge REES and the SLI as sponsors in any publications based on their funded projects; and to make their research products (including raw data, if possible) available for dissemination to other language instructors and scholars on a University of Pittsburgh website. Continue reading “Prof. Devel.: Language Teaching and Learning Research Grants (U. of Pittsburgh)”

Academic Program: Art and Museums in Russia (St. Petersburg, Russia)

Deadline for Applications: April 1, 2017

Art and Museums in Russia

Russia’s rich cultural heritage is complimented by a unique emphasis that Russians place on history and education. This has helped Russia produce one of the world’s most extensive museum systems, one well-known for not only for impressive collections but also thematic versatility, multiplicity of display modes, and sheer number of institutions. With private and public support, many of Russia’s museums are being modernized and new museums are being established. Russians have also supported this as some of the world’s most avid museum enthusiasts.

Art and Museums in Russia seeks to understand the Russian museum phenomenon and covers wide subject matter. Topics include: the history of collecting, the “museumification” of historic and cultural sites, museum operations (including storage facilities, restoration labs, exhibition curation, education, and development), integration of technology and interactivity, and museum educational work.

Art and Museums in Russia is for students looking to understand not only Russia’s cultural and historical heritage, but also how cultural and historical heritage can be best preserved and transmitted. Over an intensive three weeks in beautiful St. Petersburg, Russia, we will take a behind-the-scenes look at the Hermitage Museum, and explore a plethora of others including educational museums at schools of higher learning, scientific museums, museums of ethnography, memorial apartment museums, literary museums, political history museums, and more.

– Dates and Costs –

Summer:
Cost: $3,995
June 18 – July 9, 2017

Application deadline: April 1, 2017

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Academic Program: Siberian Summer Adventure (SRAS-Siberia)

Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2017

Siberian Summer Adventure
A Cultural and Environmental Trip!

Every summer, the Great Baikal Trail (GBT) leads international groups into the Baikal wilderness to build trails and other infrastructure to support ecotourism. Participants spend six hours a day working, have all meals provided, and spend the rest of their time socializing with Russians and other members of the crew. You’ll also enjoy a cultural program and take advantage of the gorgeous outdoor wilderness.

The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS) has partnered with GBT to provide any interested volunteer with a well-rounded educational experience and unforgettable summer adventure in Siberia.

Students will prepare with intensive courses in Russian language and covering the specific environmental challenges facing Siberia over four weeks. Then, put your language skills to use and gain first hand knowledge of the local environment when you join GBT on a trail building expedition for two weeks!

– Dates and Costs –

Summer
Cost: $5,295
June 26 – August 7, 2017

Application deadline: March 15, 2017

Semester Options:
See Siberian Studies

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Academic Program: Kyrgyz Summer Adventure (SRAS)

Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2017

Kyrgyz Summer Adventure

There are many reasons to experience Kyrgyzstan and learn more about its people, history, and culture. From its position as America’s strongest ally in the economically and militarily important Central Asia region to the opportunity it offers for outdoor adventure and inexpensive travel, we believe Kyrgyzstan is an oft-overlooked destination for study abroad.

Kyrgyz Summer Adventure offers intensive Russian language training and a one week trek through the gorgeous mountains of Kyrgyzstan on horseback, practicing the language. Students can choose three weeks of language training or, for a better value, a full nine weeks. Students will also learn more about local history, culture, and food through a variety of guest speakers and workshops.

Kyrgyz Summer Adventure is perfect for students of anthropology, language, area studies, history, or even international relations. It’s also perfect for anyone with an outdoorsy spirit who would like to gain Russian language skills this summer while doing something that will generate incredible stories and memories from your time riding, hiking, and engaging with locals in the mountains of Central Asia. See the sample itinerary below and prepare to get excited.

– Dates and Costs –

Summer

Four Weeks: Cost: $3,695
June 19 – July 16, 2017  (Apply by: April 15, 2017)

Ten Weeks: Cost: $7,390
May 29 – Aug 4, 2017  (Apply by: March 15, 2017)

Semester Options: See Central Asian Studies

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Academic Program: Russian as a Second Language (SRAS)

Deadline for Applications: March 15/31, 2017

Russian as a Second Language
Study Russian in Russia, Ukraine, or Kyrgyzstan

Russian as a Second Language (RSL) program packages are designed for flexibility to suit almost any need or interest. Study for a week or a year. Choose the bustling streets of Moscow or the rugged hills of Kyrgyzstan. Take advanced courses or start with the basics. Home Stays and TORFL Testing are optionally available. Full summer programs can be combined with seminars and adventures ranging from business courses to horse trekking. With SRAS, it’s all up to you.

Options:

Full Summer (10 weeks): Cost: $6,695
May 29 – Aug 4, 2017  (Apply by: March 15, 2017)
Customizable with optional seminars! Click here.

Early Summer (8 weeks): Cost: $5,895
May 29 – July 21, 2017  (Apply by: March 15, 2017)

Late Summer (6 weeks): Cost: $4,995
June 26 – Aug 4, 2017  (Apply by: March 31, 2017)

Extended Deadlines! Full summer and early summer programs in Bishkek, Batumi, Kiev, and Odessa are still accepting applications through April 25! Batumi, Georgia and Odessa, Ukraine are additional locations open for summer RSL programs.

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Academic Program: Coexistence and Religion (SRAS-Tbilisi, Georgia)

Deadline for Applications: March 30, 2017

Coexistence and Religion
History, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in Georgia

Georgia has always been a land of multiple faiths: Judaism, Islam, Christian Orthodoxy, and Paganism have a long and unique history of coexistence. In the three-week course, we’ll begin in Tbilisi at the Georgian-American University where you’ll hear lectures on the role of religious traditions in the history and current life of Georgia, followed by thematic lectures on religious and secular traditions in Georgia. Topics will include: Church music, spiritual art, church and temple architecture, the unique history of Georgian Jews, Islam in Georgia, the persistence of paganistic practices, and the era of Soviet Official Atheism.

We will learn to reflect upon and better understand religious traditions, issues, questions, and values in Georgia, thereby enhancing and expanding our understanding of how religion and spirituality shape our own lives.

Lectures will be enhanced and extended through outside nonfiction and fiction readings, daily discussion sessions, and frequent visits to museums, galleries, and local sites. In the classroom, you’ll learn the history and the contemporary context; in the field, you’ll come to understand how religion and spirituality are interwoven into the landscape of Georgia.

– Dates and Costs –

Summer: $4,495*
May 28 – June 17, 2017  (Apply by March 30, 2017)

Program Add-ons:
Russian language study extension in Batumi, Georgia or Kiev, Ukraine: $395 per week
Security and Society Summer School, Course block 2 (June 18 – July 7) – $2,995

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Academic Program: Security and Society Summer Program (SRAS-Warsaw, Poland)

Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2017

Security and Society
A Flexible Course for the Modern Age
in the Heart of Central Europe

Security and Society is a wide-ranging program designed to take full advantage of Poland’s many educational opportunities and provide students with a new perspective on global issues. This program is both an intensive and flexible experience – and one that is highly supportive of opportunities for personal and professional growth, including focussed research, internships, and independent travel in the region.

The semester offering focuses on Security and Society in the Information Age. We examine current issues such cybersecurity, information warfare, and how new and social media are changing the face of modern democracies. The Summer School session takes a broad but intensive approach looking at traditional and contemporary security issues. These range from maintaining international partnerships to developing domestic criminal justice and healthy ecological, demographic, entrepreneurial, and civic environments. Both semester and summer sessions offer a look at a case-study of one of the worst security failures of modern history: the Holocaust.

Security and Society is based in Warsaw, Poland, an excellent vantage to study all these issues. Poland was partitioned and dominated by foreign rule multiple times and suffered some of worst atrocities of WWII and the Holocaust. Taking its security issues particularly seriously, Poland has, in its post-Communist era, rapidly improved its economy and ecology, worked to build inclusive political and civic structures, and has taken active leadership roles in its region and in the wider EU.

This program is for students of a range of disciplines – from sociology/political science and journalism to history, business, and computer science – who are interested in better understanding security issues as they exist in today’s world. This program is excellent preparation for a range of graduate programs, including security  studies, homeland security, international relations, urban planning, and law enforcement. Students will gain a powerful understanding of the modern world, often through the lens of history.

This program offers a wide range of internship opportunities in areas related to all of the fields of study offered. Knowledge of Polish language is not required.

For more information, and to apply, click here.

Academic Program: The Cuban-Russian Connection Summer Program (SRAS)

Deadline for Applications: March 01, 2017

The Cuban-Russian Connection
War and Revolution Remembered

Neither modern Cuba nor Russia can be understood without understanding the wars, revolutions, and communist forces they have experienced over the past century. The Cuban-Russian Connection explores how identity formation in each of these fascinating countries is carried out via culture, language, history, and religion. Cuba and Russia have both played important, strategic, and very often interrelated roles in US foreign policy. Understanding both countries is essential to understanding US interests in today’s changing geopolitical landscape.

The Cuban-Russian Connection will spend one week experiencing Cuba in tradition and transition and then move to three weeks of course work and excursions in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The course will cover  the Russian-American relationship from the 18th to the 20th century; the Soviet-Cuban relationship, including a comparison of the two revolutions (1917 and 1959); and the cultural impact of the Cuban Revolution on the USSR and modern Russia. Class discussions will consider the political triangle of Cuba/US/Russia that evolved from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the present. In Russia, we will also focus on selected topics in Russian culture and history: peasants and nobles, church and state, with special focus on the Revolution. Continue reading “Academic Program: The Cuban-Russian Connection Summer Program (SRAS)”