Laird Essay Competition

 

 

The Roy and Betty Laird REES essay competition

$750 cash award


All University of Kansas students actively pursuing interests in Russian, East European and Eurasian studies in any KU academic program are eligible to submit an essay of 2,000 words on any topic dealing with the region.

The essay should be a "think piece," not a formal research paper.

It should explore a key issue relevant to the region based on any discipline. For example, students could explore the causes and consequences of the recent political changes in the region, discuss the implications of Europeanization on national languages and literatures, the role of religion today, or compose an essay on another topic.

Students may use papers from KU classes, but submissions must be reformatted to meet the following criteria: typed, double-spaced, and in 12-point font size.

Submit an anonymous version of the essay to the CREES office in 320 Bailey Hall by 5:00 pm or email to crees@ku.edu on March 29, 2013.

Please state your last name and use "Laird Essay" in the subject heading. For example: "Smith Laird Essay."

A committee will evaluate the essays and select the winning entry. The winner will receive $750, a book of his or her choice, a certificate, his or her name on a plaque, and a useful line on the resumé. The winner will also be invited to present the paper at the final REES Brown Bag of the academic year.

If you have further questions regarding the topic or submission, please contact Prof. Renee Perelmutter in 320 Bailey, at 864-4236, or by e-mail at crees@ku.edu.

The REES Essay Competition is supported by an endowment generously contributed by Professor Roy D. and Betty Laird.

Previous Winners

CREES has honored the late Dr. Roy D. Laird, a longtime member of the REES and Political Science faculties, and Mrs. Betty Laird, whose support makes this prize possible, with a special display outside the main office. The plaque in the display bears the names of all previous winners of the Competition.

  • 2013 — Vincent Artman (Geography),"Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan: Between Nationalism and Nation-State."
  • 2012 — Ruoxi Du (REES MA), "Anti-Chinese Sentiment in Russia: Threats of "Chinese Invasion" or Fears of Russian Xenophobia"
  • 2011 — Austin Charron (Geography), "The Sibiriak Movement and the Roots of Modern Siberian Regionalism."
  • 2010 — Cody Brown (Political Science), "Comrades in Crime: The Rise of the Balkan Mafia in the Former Yugoslavia."
  • 2009 — Laura Dean (Political Science), "Implications of East European Sex tourism in a Neocolonial Context."
  • 2008 — Brett Chloupek (Geography, Ph.D. candidate) "Slovakia’s Gypsies: Centuries of Problems, Few New Solutions."
  • 2007 — Michelle Tran (REES co-major) "Beyond Disney: The Poetry and Magic of Soviet Animation, 1962–1990.”
  • 2006 — Peter Tosco (REES MA) "An Impasse to Peace: A Look at the Continuing Deadlock in the Kurile Islands Dispute."
  • 2005 — Brooke Waldron (REES MA) "Serbian Orthodox Church."
  • 2004 — Adrian Erlinger (REES MA) "Shock Art and Orthodox Thugs: Politics and Contemporary Art in Russia."
  • 2003 — Lindsey Collier (Slavic/REES) "An International Dilemma: Russia vs. Chechnya."
  • 2002 — Patrick Crabb (REES), "New Opportunities: The Impact of the Pope's Visit to Ukraine."
  • 2001 — Uroš Petrović (Sociology), "There Goes Yugoslavism, Here Comes South Slavism."
  • 2000 — Matthew Schmidt (REES MA), "The Spiritual and Moral Costs of Transition in Russia."
  • 1999 — Paul Wanke (History), "Western Influence on post-Communist Russia."
  • 1998 — Jennifer Cook (REES MA), "Ecological and Health Aspects of the Transition Period."
  • 1997 — Sheri Deeter (REES MA), "Nationalism: Bane, Boom, or Blur?"
  • 1996 — R. Brannan Cass (REES MA), "The Russian Orthodox Church: A Time of Troubles."
  • 1995 — Paul Sutherland (REES MA), "United We Stand, Divided We Get Rich: The Woes of Alexander Isayevich."

    • 2012-13 Funding Due Dates

    Contact

    • Renee Perelmutter
    • Associate Director
    • Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies
    • 320 Bailey Hall
    • 1440 Jayhawk Blvd
    • Lawrence, KS 66045
    • Phone: (785) 864-4236
    • Fax: (785) 864-3800
    • crees@ku.edu

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.