Competing conceptions of place and space have played a decisive role in Russian history. In the most general sense, Russia’s geopolitical position as the largest country in the world, one that is both a part of Europe and distinct from it, has been a recurring concern for Russian policy makers. For many other reasons as well, space and power have been closely associated with one another throughout Russian history. Problems of boundary and identity in a multi-ethnic empire, debates about Russia’s place between an imagined East and an imagined West, competing representations of local, regional and national identity, and conflicts arising from rapid urbanization in a predominantly rural society are just some of the important ways in which place, space and politics have been intertwined in Russia.

We welcome proposals for essays that may be either broadly speculative and theoretical in nature or that are focused on specific subjects related to the interconnection of place and politics in imperial, Soviet, and/or post-Soviet Russia. Essays will be presented at a conference, and selected for a planned publication.

Meals and housing will be provided to participants as well as some assistance with travel costs.

Proposals should be limited to 750 words, including an explanation of how the proposed essay topic relates to the conference theme; please also include a brief, one-page version of your CV. Send proposals electronically as an attachment or in triplicate if a hard copy.

Location and Date: The Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University, Providence Rhode Island, March 24th and 25th, 2006

Deadline for Proposals: August 15th

Announcements: September 30th

Organizers:
Mark Bassin (University College, London)
Christopher Ely (Florida Atlantic University)
Melissa Stockdale (University of Oklahoma)

Send Proposals to:
Melissa K. Stockdale
Dept. of History
455 W. Lindsey St., rm. 408
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-6002