Research institutes and associations of scholars dealing with the area of the former Soviet Union

Here you can find basic information about the websites of research institutes and associations of scholars dealing with the area of the former Soviet Union, with direct links.

Name in Italian Associazione Italiana Russisti (AIR)
Description: the purpose of the A.I.R. Association is to encourage and promote the teaching and study of Russian language and literature. The association also works to develop cultural relations with corresponding entities from Russia and other countries to organize teacher, specialist and students exchanges.
The association aims to promote the exchange of information, teaching experience and didactic material among teachers and specialists from Italy and other countries. It also organizes conferences, seminars and symposia with or without the participation of specialists from other countries.
The association has the following specific tasks and goals:
1. to promote and encourage the teaching and study of Russian language and literature and coordinate research in these fields;
2. to facilitate and develop sustained contacts between teachers and specialists from all over the country as well as among those who study Russian language and literature;
3. to collaborate in developing cultural relations with corresponding entities in Russia and other countries in order to organize teacher, specialist and student exchanges;
4. to promote the exchange of information, teaching experience and didactic material among teachers and specialists from Italy as well as other countries;
5. to organize conferences, seminars and symposia with or without the participation of specialists from other countries;
6. to collect and divulge information and documentation on the teaching and study of Russian language and literature in Italy and abroad;
7. to collaborate with cultural, linguistic and literary organizations on topics of reciprocal interest. 
Based in Italy, the A.I.R. Association deals with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Armenia.
Languages: Italian, Russian 
 
Visit the website if the Association of Italian Russists (in Italian)

Description:The Cambridge Courtauld Russian Art Centre (CCRAC) is a joint initiative between the Department of History of Art, University of Cambridge, and The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, to provide a forum for the investigation of Russian and Soviet art. Founded by Dr Rosalind P. Blakesley (University of Cambridge) and Professor John Milner (The Courtauld Institute of Art) and with an advisory group of current and former graduate students, it aims to stimulate debate, support collaborative work, and generate and disseminate research on all aspects of the visual arts, architecture, design, and exhibitions in Russia and the Soviet Union.
Languages: English

Visit the website of the Cambridge Courtauld Russian Art Centre (in English)

Name in Lithuanian: Rytų Geopolitikos Studijų Centras
Description: based in Vilnius, the Centre for Eastern Geopolitical Studies is a Lithuanian think tank whose research activities focus the Post-Soviet space and Russia. The main aim of the Centre is to promote a better understanding of the political, economic, and social developments in the CIS region.
Languages: Lithuanian, English

Visit the website of the Centre for Eastern Geopolitical Studies (in Lithuanian)
Visit the website of the Centre for Eastern Geopolitical Studies (in English)

Name in Estonian: Eesti Idapartnerluse Keskus
Description: based in Tallinn, the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership (ECEAP) was launched on 1 January 2011 by the Estonian School of Diplomacy (ESD) in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The activities of the center are directed above all towards the six European Union Eastern Partnership (EaP) partner countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
ECEAP arranges training courses for senior and mid-level officials in order to strengthen the administrative capacities of the Eastern Partnership partner countries and their capability to cooperate with the European Union. The ECEAP also offers young diplomats, civil servants and civil society representatives scholarships to participate in the post-graduate training programme “International Relations and European Integration” provided by the ESD, conducts EaP-related research, seminars, round tables and conferences.
The ECEAP forms a network of researchers focusing on the Eastern Partnership. The network invites researchers both from Estonia and other countries to participate. ECEAP has an Academic Advisory Board composed of distinguished experts on Eastern Partnership, European Neighbourhood Policy, and EU Foreign Policy.
Languages: Estonian, English
 
Visit the website of the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership (in Estonian)
Visit the website of the Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership (in English)

Name in German: Osteuropa-Institute
Description: the work carried out by the Institute is aimed at analysing adjustment processes in economy and society of East and Central Europe with a particular focus on developing problem solutions. In order to achieve this, the Institute relies on a permanent staff of scholars from across multiple disciplines. Furthermore, the Institute is continously making use of direct cooperation with local institutions and scientists. Institutionally connected to the Universities of Regensburg and Munich, the Institute maintains close and productive contacts with the scientific sector.
The Institute focuses the research produced for its journals and summer school within the fields of economics and history. It also maintains a specialist library, which is open to the public. It also publishes two peer-reviewed journals: Yearbook for the History of Eastern Europe, and Economic Systems. 
Languages: German, English and Russian
 
Visit the website of the Institute for East European Studies (in German)
Visit the website of the Institute for East European Studies (in English)
Visit the website of the Institute for East European Studies (in Russian)

Description: the Russian Department teaches Russian language, literature, and culture, and the Russian & East European Studies track of the International Studies Program offers courses in the history, political science and economics of Russia and Eastern Europe.

Russian majors will have completed an intensive program of language learning that will permit them to operate at an advanced level of Russian, using authentic language in real life situations.
1. They are able to understand the main ideas and most details of face-to-face conversations, interviews, short lectures on familiar topics, and news items and reports primarily dealing with factual information.
2. The students can read with understanding and follow the essential points in most texts. They can comprehend the essential information to make appropriate inferences, recognize different uses of language and styles in a variety of texts, including literary.
3. They can speak in most social situations, narrate and describe in some detail, communicate facts, and speak casually about topics of current public and personal interest. In special fields of competence they can support opinions, explain, and hypothesize.
4. They can write about a variety of topics with sufficient precision. On topics relating to particular interests and special fields of competence our seniors are capable of sophisticated composition.
5. Students will also have gained a basic knowledge of Russian history and culture, have read the most important classics of Russian literature, and have achieved a sufficient level of cultural competency and cultural background to be able to interact in appropriate ways in contemporary Russian society.
 
In order to achieve those goals, at Middlebury Russian majors take a two-year sequence of language courses: RUSS101-102-103 and RUSS201-202. 
At Middlebury students take several courses in culture, literature, and history, including two required courses: RUSS122 (the survey course in Russian culture) and RUSS151 (19th century Russian literature).
They are encouraged to attend the Middlebury Russian School intensive program (third year of Russian) in the summer. Russian majors are required to study in Russia in their junior year for a semester (required) or a year (required if they have completed only second year Russian). At the School in Russia they take special courses in language, literature, culture and history, as well as at least one mainstream course (direct enrollment) at the university alongside Russian students. Both at the summer school and abroad students are required to observe the language pledge. They are tested in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) at the end of the language school and study abroad programs.  In their senior year students take the senior seminar (in Russian) in which they write an independent research paper in Russian.
 
Language: English
 
Visit the website of the Middlebury College Department of Russian (in English)