October 26-28, 2006

This conference will consider theories, conceptual frameworks, and analytical representations of the Russian case of empire from the late-Tsarist era to the contemporary period, including late-Imperial Russia, the Soviet Union, and post-Communist transitions. We encourage submissions addressing a wide array of perspectives on empire which might encompass the Russian imperial center as well as subjects and allies of Russian and Soviet imperial ambitions, e.g. political entities within the Russian, Hapsburg and Ottoman Empires or countries and nations belonging to the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union. We encourage papers to consider such topics as the usefulness of the center-periphery paradigm; the designation of the Soviet Union as empire; the intertwining of imperial and Marxist revolutionary projects; literary, visual and material depictions of empire; the experience of empire in everyday life; nationalism as a reaction to empire; empire and post-socialism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union; empire and patterns of institution- and state-building; neo-imperial movements and the reconfiguration of the post-Soviet political space. Case studies, comparative analyses, anthropological inquiries, historical, sociological, and literary research are welcome.

We encourage proposals from young researchers who have already completed their dissertation research or have defended their dissertation within the last three years. This will be an intensive 2-1/2 day working conference during which each of the selected papers will be critiqued by the other participants including the authors, the keynote speaker, organizers Venelin Ganev, Assistant Professor of political science, and Michael Rouland, Havighurst postdoctoral fellow in history, and a team of discussants made up of Miami faculty. We plan to publish the final versions of papers in an edited volume. The Havighurst Center will provide accommodation in Oxford, ground transportation from the airport, and partial travel funding (up to $250 for domestic travel and up to $500 for international travel).

To be considered for the conference, submit an abstract of approximately 250 words and a short CV to HavighurstCenter@muohio.edu by April 21, 2006. Please type "2006 Young Researchers Conference" as the subject of the email. We plan to get back to you by mid-May.

Questions can be directed to:

The Havighurst Center for Russian & Post-Soviet Studies
Miami University
Harrison Hall, Room 116
Oxford, OH 45056
(513) 529-3303
havighurstcenter@muohio.edu