CFA: Summer Research Lab at UIUC

[REEEC <University of Illinois>]

PLEASE ANNOUNCE:

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

2010 SUMMER RESEARCH LABORATORY ON REEE
WHERE: University of Illinois at Urbana?Champaign
DATE: 14 June to 7 August 2010

The Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center and the Slavic and East European Library at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign are pleased to announce the 2010 Summer Research Laboratory (SRL) on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia (REEE).  Since 1973, the SRL has provided scholars with access to the university’s Slavic and East European Library (one of the largest REEE collections in the country), the services of Slavic Reference Service (SRS) librarians, and specialized workshops and forums for junior scholars.  Previous SRL participants have called the lab “the best place to do Slavic research outside of Russia.”  Please consult our website for more specific details:  http://www.reeec.illinois.edu/srl/

Housing grants are available via a U.S. Department of State Title VIII grant.  A limited amount of travel grants is available for graduate students participating in the training workshops.  In order to be eligible for grants, scholars’ research much be policy-relevant, and research must focus on the formerly socialist countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.  For a full list of countries please see our website, linked above.  Given the Title VIII stipulations, travel grants are only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  

Though the SRL runs the majority of the summer, scholars rarely stay for more than two weeks.  Therefore it is easy to schedule an SRL visit around other summer plans (e.g., internships, study abroad).  

A variety of other events and conferences is held in conjunction with the SRL:  
	 
JUNIOR SCHOLAR TRAINING WORKSHOPS:

This summer we will host two interdisciplinary research workshops for junior scholars.  Though the structure of the workshops is the choice of the individual workshop leader, participating scholars usually provide papers which are then critiqued by other participants.  The purpose of the workshops is to share transdisciplinary knowledge and sources on the regions, share knowledge of the region, network with scholars of different fields, and hone current research.  In addition, participants receive an orientation to the SRS and the Slavic and East European Library.  If seeking to do extended research, plan an SRL visit which is longer than the workshop period.    


“State, Society, and Modernity in Central Asia” 14-16 June 2010
Moderator:  Ed Schatz, Political Science, University of Toronto

The central aim of this workshop is to bring together scholars in various disciplines to explore changes in the relationships between state and society in Central Asia that have occurred during historical or recent modernization projects (understood variously as ideological, developmental, cultural, political, bureaucratic, or neo‐colonial). The workshop's objectives are to foster a supportive network of colleagues involved in this field and to explore recent research paradigms and resources.   With specific questions only about this workshop, contact Dr. Schatz at ed.schatz at utoronto.ca.  

 “Fluid Future: Understanding the Black Sea as ‘Region’” 14-16 June 2010
Moderator:  Charles King, Government, Georgetown University

The Black Sea region has reemerged as a dynamic--but still often troubled--corner of Europe. Security issues, state sovereignty, minority rights, economic competition and integration, and environmental challenges are some of the key concerns of littoral states and of 
international organizations such as the European Union and NATO. These policy concerns are matched by a newfound interest among historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and others in the evident "connectedness" of the Black Sea as a body of water. Topics such as the history of 
disease and migration, the politics of tourism, and the evident sharing of art forms, religious practices, and folk customs--as well as greater access to archival resources and field sites--have all made the greater Black Sea world into an exciting arena of research. This seminar will allow researchers to share their work with other scholars currently working on the history, politics, and society of the Black Sea region, from the Balkans to the Caucasus and from Turkey to the Eurasian steppe.  With specific questions only about this workshop, contact Dr. King at kingch at georgetown.edu.

2010 Ralph and Ruth Fisher Forum, 24-26 June

The 2010 Fisher Forum will be held in conjunction with the 2010 SRL.  This year’s Forum is entitled “The Socialist 1960’s: Popular Culture and the Socialist City in Global Perspective.”  It is being organized by Diane Koenker, History, University of Illinois-Urbana and Anne Gorsuch, History, University of British Columbia.  Scholars from around the world attend the three-day forum.  The purpose of this conference will be to use the Second World, the socialist societies of the 1960s, as the center from which to explore global interconnections and uncover new and perhaps surprising patterns of cultural cross-pollination. This forum will be structured around cities as the units of analysis, and it will focus on the arena of popular culture as played out in these city spaces.

Individualized Research Practicum
Slavic Reference Services

The SRS librarians are phenomenally well-versed in the reference sources of the region.  SRL scholars who are graduate students are highly encouraged to apply for an Individualized Research Practicum.  SRS staff will develop a personalized, project-based program for each participant covering electronic tools and software, print and electronic bibliographic resources and databases, archival sources, vernacular-language search techniques, vernacular keyboard options, vernacular full-text resources, and as needed, online consultations with information specialists located in Eurasia and Eastern Europe.  The practicum is also a wonderful way to learn of research resources available in a REEE country before travelling to that country.

In order to maximize the worth of the practicum, applicants are encouraged to contact the SRS before attending.  Scholars are asked to share the extent of research already accomplished, an abstract of their project, whether they have travelled to the region, and any other relevant information. 

* * *
Applications for the SRL are due April 1st, 2010 for international applicants,
April 15th for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  Application is at: 
http://www.reeec.illinois.edu/srl/

You can keep track of SRL updates via our listserv:  write to sashermn at illinois.edu with “REQUEST TO JOIN SRL LISTERV” in the subject header.

In addition, we have a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Champaign-IL/Summer-Research-Laboratory/121548098810?v=info

For information about the Slavic and East European Library, consult their website: http://www.library.illinois.edu/spx/

For more information about the 2010 SRL, and for the application, consult this website.  
http://www.reeec.illinois.edu/srl/

Thank you for your time and concern.  I look forward to seeing some of you next summer, and if you have any questions please write the e-mail address below.  

Sincerely,
Stephen Sherman, GA for SRL
sashermn at illinois.edu
Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center
104 International Studies Building
910 S. Fifth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
http://www.reeec.illinois.edu

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