Brownbags

If you would like to view any of these archived Brownbags, please email us at crees@ku.edu to request a CD. Thank you.

  • Woland and Little Demons and the Failure of US-Russian Negotiations toward Global ZeroJacob Kipp (REES & History)Dr. Jacob Kipp discusses the failure of US-Russian negotiations to eliminate nuclear weapons from their respective arsenals.Spring 2012BrownbagFebruary 7, 2012
  • Introducing the Stalin Digital Archive and News and Country ProfilesJon Giullian (Library)Jon Giullian provides a sneak peak at the Stalin Digital Archive, to which the Library will soon subscribe, as well as other research tools useful for REES faculty and students.Spring 2012BrownbagJanuary 31, 2012
  • Russia at Crossroads, Oct. 2011 - Jan. 2012: The Capitals and the ProvincesDr. Gerald Mikkelson (Russian, East European and Eurasian Stuides, University of Kansas) In this clip excerpt, Dr. Gerald Mikkelson discusses the results of the December 2011 Parlimentary elections in the Russian Federation.Spring 2012BrownbagJanuary 24, 2012
  • Grandfather Frost: The Evolution of a Russian Cultural IconDr. Irina SixDr. Irina Six discusses the evolution of the Russian cultural icon Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost).Fall 2011BrownbagDecember 6, 2011
  • Poland's Last Communist Generation: Lost or Found in the Transition?Dr. Svetlana Vassileva-KaragyozovaDr. Svetlana Vassileva-Karagyozova discusses Polish identity and literature, focusing on the effects of the transition from Communism in Poland.Fall 2011BrownbagNovember 22, 2011
  • Feminism in Russia: Two Centuries of HistoryNatalia PushkarevaRussian scholar Natalia Pushkareva describes the progress of feminism in Russia, from its origins in the time of Catherine the Great to its present form twenty years after the fall of the USSR.Fall 2011BrownbagNovember 15, 2011
  • Tsar Dmitry and Russia-NATO RelationsMajor Raymond C. Finch, IIIMajor Raymond C. Finch, III of the Foreign Military Studies Office in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas discusses Russia-NATO relations, focusing on the Russian representative to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin.Fall 2011BrownbagNovember 8, 2011
  • Who Tells You How to Do Things with Words? Slovs, Their Performatives and GermansDr. Stephen Dickey (Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Kansas)Dr. Stephen Dickey examines the role and form of performatives in Slavic languages.Fall 2011BrownbagNovember 1, 2011
  • The Ink Is Freezing: Russian Science Societies and the Bolshevik Regime, 1917-1921Dr. Joseph Bradley (History, University of Tulsa)Dr. Bradley traces the fate of Russian science societies after the Bolsheviks took power in 1917. Most of these science societies opposed the Bolsheviks initially and struggled to survive in the new Soviet society.Fall 2011BrownbagOctober 18, 2011
  • Democratization, Comparing the Models of Democracy Promoted by the EU, US, and Central Asian StatesDr. Mariya Omelicheva (Political Science, University of Kansas)Fall 2011BrownbagOctober 4, 2011
  • Student Panel on Study AbroadStudent PanelFall 2011BrownbagSeptember 27, 2011
  • Archaeological Survey in Eastern Serbia 2011: International Collaboration, Preliminary Results and PerspectivesDr. Ivana Radovanovic (Anthropology, University of Kansas)Fall 2011BrownbagSeptember 20, 2011
  • Russia's Transition to a Market Economy: Birth of a Commercial Legal FrameworkHolly Nielson (Baring Vostok Capital Partners)Fall 2011BrownbagSeptember 13, 2011
  • Democracy, Ten Years Later: Politics and Identity of Minorities in SerbiaSlavisa Rakovic (Ljubljana Graduate School for the Humanities)Fall 2011BrownbagAugust 30, 2011
  • The Sibiriak Movement and the Roots of Modern Siberian RegionalismAustin Charron (Graduate Student, Geography, University of Kansas)Austin Charron discusses his winning Laird essay, 'Movement and the Roots of Modern Siberian Regionalism.' Spring 2011BrownbagMay 10, 2011
  • Research Assistant Presentations of ResearchRuoxi Du (Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies) and Nathan Pickett (Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies)Spring 2011BrownbagMay 3, 2011
  • Katyn in Recent Polish-Russian Relations: The Thorny Path to ReconciliationDr. Anna Cienciala (Professor Emerita, Department of History, University of Kansas)Spring 2011BrownbagApril 26, 2011
  • Persian Renaissance and the Case of Formation of Tajik National IdentityDr. Razi Ahmad (Center for Global and International Studies, University of Kansas)Spring 2011BrownbagApril 19, 2011
  • Trends in Post-Soviet Librarianship and Librarianship in UkraineDr. Tetiana Yaroshenko (Executive Director at ELibUkr Project; University Librarian at National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy)Dr. Yaroshenko discusses trends in post-Soviet librarianship, as well as librarianship in Ukraine.Spring 2011BrownbagMarch 15, 2011
  • Media in RussiaDr. Tom Volek (School of Journalism, University of Kansas)Tom Volek shares his view on the state of independent journalism in Russia.Spring 2011BrownbagMarch 8, 2011
  • Media in RussiaNathan Pettengill (Lawrence Magazine)Nathan Pettengill, former Deputy Director for Reuters in Russia and CIS, speaks about lessons learned during his work there.Spring 2011BrownbagMarch 8, 2011
  • Media in RussiaSue Novak (School of Journalism, University of Kansas)In this excerpt, Sue Novak discusses the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya.Spring 2011BrownbagMarch 8, 2011
  • Whose Place Is This? Art, Territory and Civic Dialogue in Ljubljana, SloveniaRebecca Blocksome (Spencer Museum of Art)In this excerpt, Rebecca Blocksome describes the plight of the 'erased' in Slovenia, as well as a public media campaign to draw attention to the issue.Spring 2011BrownbagMarch 1, 2011
  • The Uses of Ignorance: The Gulag under Western EyesDr. Dariusz Tolczyk (Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Virginia)In this excerpt, Dr. Tolczyk outlines the responses of the West to the Bolsheviks' rise to power, drawing from contemporary press and literary passages.Spring 2011BrownbagFebruary 22, 2011
  • Roma in Eastern EuropeJulie Denesha (Photojournalist)Julie Denesha discusses her time photographing the Roma in Eastern Europe; in this segment, Julie speaks about the event that prompted her to undertake the project and her general impressions of the Roma based on her experience. The full slideshow and more of Julie's work are available online at www.juliedenesha.com.Spring 2011BrownbagFebruary 15, 2011
  • Stanford U.S. Russia ForumBethany Owens (Russian, East European and Eurasian Stuides, University of Kansas), Josh Dean (Economics and Political Science, University of Kansas)KU students Bethany Owens and Josh Dean discuss their participation in the Stanford U.S.-Russia Forum. In this segment, Bethany and Josh outline the programs goals and features, and share their thoughts on the value of their own experiences made possible through the program.Spring 2011BrownbagFebruary 8, 2011
  • Comrades in Crime: The Rise of the Balkan Mafia in the Former YugoslaviaCody Brown (PhD Candidate, Political Science, University of Kansas)Cody Brown, winner of the 2010 Roy and Betty Laird REES Essay Competition, discusses the rise of the mafia in the Balkans; in this segment he points out the link between conflicts in the region and growth of the mafia.Spring 2010BrownbagApril 20, 2010
  • The Line, the Which, and the War-Trope: Language as a Determinant of Ethnicity in South-Eastern EuropeDr. Marc Greenberg (Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Kansas)Dr. Greenberg identifies a number of politically charged issues relating to the study of language and dialect; in this excerpt, he discusses developments in Yugoslavia after World War I.Fall 2010BrownbagNovember 30, 2010
  • Corporate Environmental Management Practices and Performance in the Czech RepublicDr. Dietrich Earnhart (Economics, University of Kansas)Dr. Earnhart describes corporate environmental practices in the Czech Republic, noting the trend in the past 10 years for Czech firms to voluntarily improve environmental standards in compliance with international regulations.Fall 2010BrownbagNovember 16, 2010
  • Counterterrorism Policies in Central AsiaDr. Mariya Omelicheva (Political Science, University of Kansas)Dr. Omelicheva discusses counterterrorism policies in Central Asia; in this excerpt, she describes different measures taken by Central Asian states and the factors the affect how a particular state will respond to security issues.Fall 2010BrownbagNovember 9, 2010
  • Involving the Community in Research: Crowd-Sourcing Audio FilesDr. Natalie Kononenko (Modern Languages and Cultural Studeis, University of Alberta)Dr. Kononenko discusses fieldwork in Ukraine and the practice of obtaining audio files from the community for research.Fall 2010BrownbagNovember 2, 2010
  • Identity in Southern RussiaAusten Thelen (Graduate Student, Geography, University of Kansas)Austen Thelen shares his research on identity formation in Southern Russia.Fall 2010BrownbagOctober 26, 2010
  • Backwardness and Rushing Forward: Aviation and Automobilism in the Polish Lands Before the Great War.Dr. Nathan Wood (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Wood discusses aviation and automobiles in pre-First World War Polish lands.Fall 2010BrownbagOctober 19, 2010
  • Aleuts and the Russian Colonization of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands in the 19th CenturyDr. Michael Crawford (Anthropology, University of Kansas)Dr. Drawford discusse the consequences of Russian colonization on the Aleut people, including forced migration and disease.Fall 2010BrownbagSeptember 21, 2010
  • Panel on Study AbroadJohn Biersack (Geography), Laura Dean (Political Science), Godfrey Riddle (Architecture), Colby Smith (Humanities and Wester Civilization; International Studies)KU students discus the experiences studying abroad in Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Slovenia, Poland, Ukraine and Russia; in this excerpt, Laura Dean provides information on funding opportunities, and students field questions about their experiences.Fall 2010BrownbagSeptember 14, 2010
  • Surviving Kit. Making Art from Censorship to MarketDan and Lia Perjovschi (Romanian Artists)Romanian artists Dan and Lia Perjovschi discuss historical censorship in Romania.Fall 2010BrownbagSeptember 7, 2010
  • What's New at the Library? (Fall 2010)Jon Giullian (Slavic Languages and Literatures Librarian, University of Kansas)Jon Giullian discusses newly available research tools.Fall 2010BrownbagAugust 31, 2010
    • 2010 Spring
  • Understanding the Dynamics of Assimilation and Diversity in Nation-Building: A Case from Southeastern TurkeyDr. Elif Andac (Sociology, University of Kansas)Dr. Andac discusses key differences in the communities of Southeastern Turkey; in this excerpt, she discusses the Mardin community.Spring 2010BrownbagApril 20, 2010
  • Understanding the Dynamics of Assimilation and Diversity in Nation-Building: A Case from Southeastern TurkeyDr. Elif Andac (Sociology, University of Kansas)Dr. Andac discusses key differences in the communities of Southeastern Turkey; in this excerpt, she discusses the Mardin community.Spring 2010BrownbagApril 20, 2010
  • Dmitry Volkogonov: Russian Patriot or Traitor?Major Raymond C. Finch, III (Ft. Leavenworth, Foreign Military Studies Office)Major Finch discusses his reserach on Soviet military leader Dmitry Volkoganov; in this excerpt, he describes Volkoganov's public and private writings on the events of the 1980s, including his controversial biography of Stalin.Spring 2010BrownbagApril 6, 2010
  • Sporting Allegiances in Socialist YugoslaviaShay Wood (PhD Candidate, History, University of Kansas)Shay Wood discusses the role of sporting allegiances in socialist Yugoslavia; in this excerpt, he introduces key players and describes the influence of politics.Spring 2010BrownbagMarch 30, 2010
  • The Changing Political Geography of Serbia as Seen on its Stamps and Postal HistoryDr. Thomas Poulsen (Professor Emeritus, Portland State University)Dr. Poulsen discusses changes in Serbia, as seen through its stamps and postal history.Spring 2010BrownbagMarch 23, 2010
  • Milosevic's Role in Spreading Serbian Nationalist Mobilization in 1988Cody Brown (PhD Candidate, Political Science, University of Kansas)Cody Brown shares the results of his research on Milosevich's contribution to Serbian nationalist mobilization in 1988; in this excerpt, he discusses his research design and the the results of his inquiry into the nature of protest in Serbia at the time.Spring 2010BrownbagMarch 9, 2010
  • Do Two Lives Weigh the Same? Translation and Construction of the Talmud from the Brisker Rav to Mishneh TorahDr. Sergey Dolgopolski (Religious Studies, University of Kansas)Spring 2010BrownbagFebruary 23, 2010
  • The Aeroplane for Everyone: Popularizing Aviation in the Polish Lands Before the Great WarDr. Nathan Wood (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Wood analyzes treatment of the airplane by the Polish press prior to World War I; in this excerpt, he describes some relevant novellas and articles.Spring 2010BrownbagFebruary 16, 2010
  • Know Your Library: New Tools You Can UseJon Giullian (Slavic & Eurasian Studies Librarian, University of Kansas)Jon Giullian discusses new research tools available at the library; in this excerpt, he explains the Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies (MECAS) search tool.Spring 2010BrownbagFebruary 9, 2010
  • Learning Russian 'Other' in Practice: The US Philanthropy Mission in Early Soviet Russia as Cross-Cultural and Social Experience (1921-1923)Yulia Khmelevskaya (Fulbright-Kennan Institute Research Scholar)Yulia Khmelevskaya discusses her research on American relief efforts in Russia following the Civil War; in this excerpt, describes the American Relief Administration (ARA) and how it carried out its work.Spring 2010BrownbagFebruary 2, 2010
  • Roundtable on Elections in UkraineDr. Erik Herron (Political Science, University of Kansas), Maksym Palamarenko (Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine), Dr. Alex Tsiovkh, (Visiting Faculty from L'viv, Ukrainian History & Culture, University of Kansas)These three experts discuss the first round of the presidential election in Ukraine in a roundtable covering election issues, corruption, voter makeup and turnout.Spring 2010BrownbagJanuary 26, 2010
  • Polish-Jewish Relations in Warsaw during the First World WarDr. Robert Blobaum (History, West Virginia University)Dr. Blobaum discusses Polish-Jewish relations, describing how the nature of the relationship changed with the onset of the First World War.Fall 2009BrownbagNovember 3, 2009
  • America as Seen by Russian WritersDr. Jerry Mikkelson (Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas)Dr. Mikkelson discusses the importance of Russian writers' impressions of America and the impact of their accounts on readers.Fall 2009BrownbagOctober 27, 2009
  • Guiding Believers: Clerical Responses to Popular Orthodoxy in Contemporary RussiaDr. Stella Rock (History, University of Sussex)Dr. Rock discusses religious revival in Russia and the challenges associated with guiding believers in the practice of Orthodoxy.Fall 2009BrownbagOctober 20, 2009
  • Strategy, Operational Art and Stalin: The Svechin ConnectionDr. Jacob Kipp (Deputy Director, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth)Dr. Kipp discusses military strategist Alexander Svechin's influence on Soviet strategy during World War II.Fall 2009BrownbagOctober 13, 2009
  • Aging and Community Development in Eastern EuropeDr. Laszlo Kulcsar (Sociology, Kansas State University)Laszlo Kulcsar shares his research on aging and rural issues in Eastern Europe; in this excerpt, he outlines recent demographic shifts and the challenges they present.Fall 2009BrownbagOctober 6, 2009
  • Defending the Periphery: Tsarist Management of BuddhismDr. Helen Hundley (History, Wichita State University)Dr. Hundley discusses Russian attitudes toward Buddhism and the Tsarist response to this religion.Fall 2009BrownbagSeptember 29, 2009
  • The Russian Civil War and the Creation of the USSRDr. Ron Francisco (Political Science, University of Kansas)Dr. Francisco discusses the Russian Revolution and the events of the Civil War that followed; in the excerpt he outlines the events that precipitated the revolution and Bolshevik coup in 1917.Fall 2009BrownbagSeptember 22, 2009
  • Kazakhstan on the Verge of the 2010 OSCE Chairmanship: Observations from the FieldCristin Burke (PhD Candidate, Geography, University of Kansas)Cristin Burke discusses Kazakhstan upcoming 2010 chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).Fall 2009BrownbagSeptember 8, 2009
  • Poland and the Outbreak of World War II: Could War Have Been Avoided?Dr. Anna Cienciala (Professor Emerita, Department of History, University of Kansas)Dr. Cienciala discusses the outbreak of World War II; in this excerpt, she discusses the French and British responses to the invasion and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.Fall 2009BrownbagSeptember 1, 2009
  • Implications of East European Sex Tourism in a Neocolonial ContextLaura Dean (PhD Candidate, Political Science, University of Kansas)Laird Essay winner Laura Dean discusses her ongoing research on sex tourism and trafficking; in this excerpt, she identifies the main characteristics of sex tourism in Eastern Europe and discusses the phenomenon using a neocolonialist model.Spring 2009BrownbagMay 5, 2009
  • Russia and the American Civil WarDr. Norman Saul (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Saul discusses Russian-American ties during the American Civil War; in this excerpt, he argues that Russian fleets sent to the U.S. in 1863 influenced the course of the war in favor of the Union.Spring 2009BrownbagApril 28, 2009
  • Between Commitment and Pragmatism: Human Rights in Georgia's Politics and Foreign PolicyDr. Mariya Omelicheva (Political Science, University of Kansas)Dr. Omelicheva discusses the place of human rights in Georgia's domestic and foreign policy; in this excerpt, she argues that policy in this area is driven more by security concerns than by an interest in democratization.Spring 2009BrownbagApril 21, 2009
  • Educated Society and Domestic Violence in Nicholas I's RussiaDr. Curt Richardson (History, Northwest Missouri State)Dr. Richardson shares his research on educated society and domestic violence under Nicholas I; in this excerpt, he discusses educated society's conceptions of gender and society during this period.Spring 2009BrownbagApril 14, 2009
  • The Political Prisoner in the Twentieth-Century WorldDr. Padraic Kenney (History, Indiana University)Dr. Kenney shares his thoughts on a current research project devoted to political prisoners in the modern world; in this excerpt, he discusses the definition of a political prisoner and the implications of this definition.Spring 2009BrownbagApril 7, 2009
  • Religious Czechs and Secular Poles? Revisiting the Religious History of 20th Century East Central EuropeDr. Bruce Berglund (History, Calvin CollegeDr. Berglund discusses 20th century religion in East Central Europe; in this segment he argues that religion was much more influential in the 20th century than is generally recognized.Spring 2009BrownbagMarch 24, 2009
  • A Brief History of Macedonian-Greek RelationsMarko Trosanovski (Visiting Scholar, Macedonia)Marko Trosanovski discusses the history of Macedonian-Greek relations; in this segment he describes the present-day controversy surrounding the name 'Macedonia.'Spring 2009BrownbagFebruary 24, 2009
  • Moscow Conceptualism and Artistic DissentOlena Chervonik (Graduate Student, Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Kansas)Olena Chervonik discusses key features of the Moscow Conceptualist movement.Spring 2009BrownbagFebruary 17, 2009
  • Study Abroad in Yaroslavl, Russia: Lasting ImpressionsStephanie Smiros (Boren NSEP Scholar)Stephanie Smiros shares her impressions of Yaroslavl, Russia, after a year there studying language and culture.Spring 2009BrownbagFebruary 10, 2009
  • Citizen Diplomacy in Russian-American RelationsBob Swan (Independent Consultant)Long-time activist Bob Swan shares his experiences in citizen diplomacy, speaking about the nature and importance of people-to-people exchanges, such as the Meeting for Peace that took place in Lawrence in October 1990.Spring 2009BrownbagFebruary 3, 2009
  • Reaching Toward Utopia: Russian Avant-garde Art and LiteratureDr. Edith Clowes (Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Kansas)Dr. Clowes shares insights on the Russian Avant-garde; in this excerpt, she discusses Evgeny Zamyatin's novel We as a dystopian parody of the Avant-garde.Spring 2009BrownbagJanuary 27, 2009
  • Operation Enduring Freedom: Similarities and Contrasts with the Soviet Experience in AfghanistanDr. Don Wright (Combat Studies Institute, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth)Dr. Wright compares the Soviet and American experiences in Afghanistan.Fall 2008BrownbagDecember 2, 2008
  • Life Along the VolgaDr. Tom Poulsen (Professor Emeritus, Geography, Portland State University)Dr. Poulsen relates experiences and observations from his trip to the then-Soviet Union.Fall 2008BrownbagNovember 18, 2008
  • The Bronze Soldier: Embodying Conflicts between Estonians and Russian-Speakers in TallinnDr. Marie Alice L'Heureux (School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Kansas)This excerpt from Dr. L'Heureux's Brownbag lecture discusses the background and complications in moving a monument related to conflict between Estonians and Russian Speakers.Fall 2008BrownbagNovember 11, 2008
  • Not Just the National: Modernity and Identity in the Cities of East Central EuropeDr. Nathan Wood (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Wood discusses the role of national identity in late 19th and early 20th century cities of Eastern Europe.Fall 2008BrownbagNovember 4, 2008
  • Behind the Iron Curtain: The Hidden Events of the Early Soviet Space ProgramKaren Ohmes (Student, Geology, University of Kansas)Karen Ohmes discusses early triumphs and failures of the Soviet space program.Fall 2008BrownbagOctober 28, 2008
  • Prospects of a New Cold War over UkraineDr. Steven Blank (Professor, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA)Dr. Blank discusses the prospects of a new Cold War over Ukraine in the 2008 Palij Lecture.Fall 2008BrownbagOctober 27, 2008
  • Away From the Office: A Fulbright Semester in PragueDr. Susan Zvacek (Director, Instructional Development and Support)Dr. Zvacek discusses her experiences assisting faculty in the Czech Republic with e-learning.Fall 2008BrownbagOctober 21, 2008
  • Observations from the Ceasefire Line: the Role of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia and the U.S. ContributionLTC Ray Hackler (Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth)LTC Ray Hackler discusses the history of conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia, focusing on the U.N. role in finding a peaceful solution.Fall 2008BrownbagOctober 7, 2008
  • Born in the USSR: Russian Pop Culture in Search of post-Soviet IdentityDr. Irina Six (Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Kansas)Dr. Six discusses the messages conveyed by contemporary Russian pop culture.Fall 2008BrownbagSeptember 30, 2008
  • Russian Experimental Astrophysics in the post-Soviet EraDr. David Besson (Physics, University of Kansas)Dr. Besson discusses his experiences working with his Russian colleagues.Fall 2008BrownbagSeptember 23, 2008
  • The View from the Street: Communist Dictatorship to Democratic Transition?Dr. Ron Francisco (Political Science, University of Kansas)Dr. Francisco discusses the difficulties faced by transition economies.Fall 2008BrownbagSeptember 16, 2008
  • Presidential Elections and the Future of US-Russian RelationsDr. Jacob Kipp (Deputy Director, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth)In this excerpt, Dr. Kipp discusses the differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in their views toward Russia.Fall 2008BrownbagSeptember 9, 2008
  • Russian Military Intelligence, 1914Dr. Bruce Menning (Combat Studies Insitute, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas)Dr. Menning discusses Russian military intelligence in 1914, focusing on the contributions of espionage.Fall 2008BrownbagSeptember 2, 2008
  • The Progressive Communist Community: The Kansas Russian CommuneDr. Norman Saul (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Saul discusses key individuals involved in building a Russian commune in Kansas, along with the challenges they faced.Spring 2008BrownbagApril 29, 2008
  • A Kansas ApocalypseDr. Eve Levin (History, University of Kansas)With the assistance of Karen Cook (Special Collections Librarian, Spencer Research Library), Dr. Levin reviews a 16th-17th century Russian manuscript.Spring 2008BrownbagApril 22, 2008
  • Turkmenistan: A Ground-level PerspectiveMatt Stein (MA Candidate, Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, University of KansasMatt Stein discusses his experiences working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkmenistan.Spring 2008BrownbagApril 1, 2008
  • Three Library Tools to Make Life EasierGeoff Husic (Slavic and Special Languages Librarian)Geoff Husic discusses newly available research tools at the University of Kansas.Spring 2008BrownbagMarch 25, 2008
  • Does Better Environmental Performance Affect Revenues, Costs, or Both? Evidence from a Transition EconomyDr. Dietrich Earnhart (Economics, University of Kansas)Dr. Earnhart discusses his research on the costs and benefits of reducing air pollution in the Czech Republic from 1996-1998.Spring 2008BrownbagMarch 11, 2008
  • Slovakia's Gypsies: Centuries of Problems, Few New SolutionsBrett Chloupek (PhD Candidate, Geography, University of Kansas)2008 Laird Essay Winner Brett Chloupek discusses the challenges faced by Roma in Slovakia.Spring 2008BrownbagMarch 6, 2008
  • Russia's Counterterrorism Policy: Variations on an Imperial ThemeDr. Mariya Omelicheva (Political Science, University of Kansas)Dr. Omelicheva discusses Russia's historical approach to fighting terrorism.Spring 2008BrownbagMarch 4, 2008
  • Varlam Shalamov and the Soviet GulagDr. Jerry Mikkelson (Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas)Dr. Mikkelson discusses the Soviet Gulag; this exceprt focuses on the conditions of the gulag system.Spring 2008BrownbagFebruary 29, 2008
  • What's Wrong with this Picture? Analyzing Russia via BlogsMajor Raymond C. Finch, III (Ft. Leavenworth, Foreign Military Studies Office)Major Raymond C. Finch, III discusses developments in Russian Internet usage and the opportunities they provide for understanding the country.Spring 2008BrownbagFebruary 26, 2008
  • Modern Social and Politican Stereotypes in the Ukrainian MentalityDr. Anatoliy Khudoliy (Associate Professor, National University of Ostroh Academy, Ukraine)Dr. Khudoliy discusses common Western stereotypes of Ukraine.Spring 2008BrownbagFebruary 12, 2008
  • Ukraine: Sixteen Years of IndependenceSteven Pifer (Former Ambassador to Ukraine; Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia)In the excerpt from the 2008 Palij Lecture, Steven Pifer discusses some of Ukraine's achievements since declaring independence in 1991.Spring 2008BrownbagFebruary 5, 2008
  • The Soviet Massacre of Polish POWs in Spring 1940: Motives, Timing, and a Half Century of LiesDr. Anna Cienciala (Professor Emerita, Department of History, University of Kansas)Dr. Cienciala discusses the spring 1940 massacre of Polish POWs, and the rationale behind Gorbachev's decision to admit Soviet responsibility for the events at Katyn.Spring 2008BrownbagJanuary 29, 2008
  • Nuggets from the Archive: A Different Perspective on the July Crisis of 1914Dr. Bruce Menning (Combat Studies Insitute, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas)In this excerpt from Dr. Menning's fall 2007 Brownbag, he describes some of the intelligence assets used by the Russians prior to the outbreak of the First World War.Fall 2007BrownbagNovember 13, 2007
  • The Revitalization of Jewish Culture in Post-Comunist PolandDr. Shana Penn (Visiting Scholar, Center for Jewish Studies, Graduate Theological Union of Berkeley, California)Dr. Penn discusses Jewish culture in post-Comunist Poland.Fall 2007BrownbagNovember 6, 2007
  • Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth: Background, Mission, and Way AheadMajor Kevin Thompson, Mr. Rob Kurz and 1LT Chuck Bartles (Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth)Three representatives from the Foreign Military Studies Office in Fort Leavenworth discuss their work and organization.Fall 2007BrownbagOctober 30, 2007
  • Boris Pasternak and Doctor Zhivago: Fifty Years Since the Nobel AwardDr. Jerry Mikkelson (Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of KansasDr. Mikkelson discusses Russian Novelist Borris Pasternak and his novel, Doctor Zhivago.Fall 2007BrownbagOctober 23, 2007
  • Spatial Patterns of Public Concerns and Political Opinion in AzerbaijanDr. Shannon O'Lear (Geography, University of Kansas)Dr. O'Lear discusses the background and methodology of her research on political opinion in Azerbaijan.Fall 2007BrownbagOctober 2, 2007
  • Escaping Communist Czechoslovakia: Five Friends, 20,000 Enemy Troops, and the Secret That Could Have Changed the Course of the Cold WarBarbara Masin (Author)Barbara Masin discusses her book, Gauntlet: Five Friends, 20,000 Enemy Troops, and the Secret That Could Have Changed the Course of the Cold War.Fall 2007BrownbagSeptember 24, 2007
  • What's in a Story?: Memory, History, and Research MethodologiesDr. Margaret Paxson (Senior Associate, Kennan Institute)Dr. Paxson reads excerpts from her book, Solovyovo: The Story of Memory in a Russian Village, and discusses her research methodology.Fall 2007BrownbagSeptember 18, 2007
  • Aga, Ust-Orda and the Republic of Buriatia: the Buriats across the BordersMargarita Karnysheva (PhD Candidate, History, University of Kansas)Margarita Karnysheva discusses the complex border issues between ethnic groups in Central Siberia.Fall 2007BrownbagSeptember 11, 2007
  • Charles Crane, American Globalist and Foremost RussiophileDr. Norman Saul (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Saul provides biographical information on American globalist Charles Crane.Fall 2007BrownbagSeptember 4, 2007
  • The Orange, Post-Orange, and Post-Post-Orange Battle Goes OnDr. Alex Tsiovkh, (Visiting Faculty from L'viv, Ukrainian History & Culture, University of Kansas)Dr. Tsiovkh discusses of the political perplexities of the 2007 Ukrainian government.Fall 2007BrownbagAugust 28, 2007
  • The Meaning of 'Europe and European Choice' for Ukraine and RussiaDr. Alex Tsiovkh, (Visiting Faculty from L'viv, Ukrainian History & Culture, University of Kansas), Dr. Paul D'Anieri (Political Science, University of Kansas), Darren Hultman (US State Department)Three experts discuss Ukraine, Russian, and WTO membership.Spring 2007BrownbagMay 1, 2007
  • Music of the Altai Region of SiberiaJohn Van Orman (REES MA Candidate, University of Kansas)John Van Orman plays two tunes from the Altai region of Siberia and describes the instruments used and how the music is influenced by other world regions.Spring 2007BrownbagApril 24, 2007
  • Valentin Rasputin at 70Dr. Jerry Mikkelson (Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of KansasDr. Mikkelson discusses Valentin Rasputin and his experiences during the years of perestroika and the dissolution of the USSR (1985-1991) when Rasputin was caught in the middle of an ideological schism within the Russian Intelligentsia.Spring 2007BrownbagApril 17, 2007
  • More Than They Could Consume Locally: History in the BalkansDr. Stephen Dickey (Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Kansas)Dr. Dickey discusses the historical alliances made by Balkan forces.Spring 2007BrownbagMarch 27, 2007
  • Belarus: Transition, Independence and ChallengesSvetlana Deplazes (PhD Candidate, Education, University of Kansas), Dr. Nadia Kardash (Center for Economic Education, University of Kansas)Svetlana Deplazes provides discusses the state of affairs in Belarus, focusing on economic trends.Spring 2007BrownbagMarch 6, 2007
  • Power and Norms in the International Politics of Central AsiaNathan Gerth (MA Candidate, Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas)Nathan Gerth discusses energy, security, and the balance of power in the Central Asian states.Spring 2007BrownbagFebruary 27, 2007
  • Territorial Cohesion in KazakhstanCristin Burke (PhD Candidate, Geography, University of Kansas)Cristin Burke discusses the economic, political, and demographic elements of territorial cohesion in Kazakhstan.Spring 2007BrownbagFebruary 20, 2007
  • Income Distribution and Redistribution in UkraineNazar Kholod (Fulbright-Kennan Institute Research Scholar, Ivan Franko National University, L'viv Ukraine)Nazar Kholod discusses the background and challenges of income redistribution in Ukraine.Spring 2007BrownbagFebruary 13, 2007
  • Formula for Failure: Russian Planning for War, 1914Dr. Bruce Menning (Combat Studies Insitute, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas)Dr. Menning discusses the ingredients for Russian failure in August 1914, which lay within a trinity of interacting failures: failure of collaboration, failure in command, and failure in planning methodology.Spring 2007BrownbagFebruary 6, 2007
  • A Conversation with Balkans Expert, Ales DebeljakDr. Ales Debeljak (University of Ljubljana)Dr. Debeljak discusses Balkan identity and the ways contries in this region identify or avoid identifying themselves with it.Spring 2007BrownbagJanuary 30, 2007
  • Uzbekistan: An Introduction to the Country and Its PeopleMaria Weir (PhD Candidate, Anthropology, University of Kansas)Maria Weir provides an introduction to Uzbekistan.Fall 2006BrownbagNovember 14, 2006
  • NSEP Funding Opportunities for Study Abroad: the Case of Uzbek in Tajikistan and Other PossibilitiesJay Kimmel (2005-2006 NSEP Scholar to Tajikistan, Political Science, University of Kansas)Jay Kimmel discusses NSEP funding opportunities for study abroad.Fall 2006BrownbagNovember 7, 2006
  • Riddles of History, Biblical Curses, and Ominous Numbers: Historical Works of Edvard RadzinskyDr. Masha Kipp (Theater and Film, University of Kansas)Dr. Kipp discusses the historical works of Russian writer and playwrite Edvard Radzinsky.Fall 2006BrownbagOctober 31, 2006
  • Cigarettes and Soviets: A History of Tobacco Use in 20th Century RussiaDr. Tricia Starks (Assistant Professor of History, University of Arkansas)Dr. Starks discusses tobacco use in Russia.Fall 2006BrownbagOctober 24, 2006
  • St Petersburg, Russia, Media Update: Building CommunitiesDr. Tom Volek (School of Journalism, University of Kansas)Dr. Volek shares findings from his visit to St. Petersburg-based Channel 100, a family-run, independent, non-network, non-political-player broadcasting station.Fall 2006BrownbagSeptember 19, 2006
  • Civil Society in Ukraine: Teething Problems?Dr. Alex Tsiovkh, (Visiting Faculty from L'viv, Ukrainian History & Culture, University of Kansas)Dr. Tsiovkh reflects on the 2006 Ukrainian government, in which President Yushchenko's rival Yanukovych became Prime Minister. He goes on to speculating about the future of Ukrainian politics.Fall 2006BrownbagSeptember 12, 2006
  • Summer Study Abroad in Russia: ImpressionsLaura Chaney, Nathan Gerth, Danielle Schlesinger (KU REES MA Candidates)Students discuss their study abroad experiences.Fall 2006BrownbagSeptember 5, 2006
  • The Program that Ended the Cold War: The Negotiation of the Soviet-American Cultural and Student ExchangesDr. Norman Saul (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Saul discusses the significance of Soviet-American exchange programs.Fall 2006BrownbagAugust 29, 2006
  • Chechnya Update: 2005Glen Howard (President of the Jamestown Foundation) and Ilyas Akhmadov (Former Foreign Minister of Chechnya)Glen Howard, President of the Jamestown Foundation and KU alumnus, and Ilyas Akhmadov, former Foreign Minister of Chechnya, address the current (2005) situation in Chechnya.Spring 2005BrownbagMay 4, 2005
  • Chernobyl: 20th AnniversaryTaras Senyuta (Muskie PhD Fellow, Department of Political Science, University of Kansas)Senyuta discusses the Chernobyl accident of 1986.Spring 2006BrownbagMarch 14, 2006
  • Anglo-American Assessments of the Red Army in World War IIDr. Ted Wilson (Department of History, University of Kansas)Dr. Wilson discusses the British and American assessments of the Red Army in June of 1941.Spring 2006BrownbagFebruary 28, 2006
  • Rediscovering the Missing NeighborsDr. Piotr Wrobel (Associate Professor and Konstanty Reynert Chair of Polish History, Department of History, University of Toronto)Dr. Wrobel discusses the rediscovery of the Polish and Jewish past, noting that with Polish communists in power, the new generation of Poles had little understanding of what happened during World War II and had little access to outside sources of information.Spring 2006BrownbagFebruary 21, 2006
  • Russian Grassroots Media: It's Working!Dr. Tom Volek (School of Journalism, University of Kansas)Dr. Volek argues that the news media in Russia is working, particularly at the grassroots level.Spring 2006BrownbagFebruary 14, 2006
  • Survival Strategies in Contemporary Russia: A Comparison of Urban and Rural HouseholdsDr. Eric Hanley (Department of Sociology, University of Kansas)Dr. Hanley compares the effects of agricultural activities on the income and overall health of urban and rural households in Russia.Spring 2006BrownbagFebruary 7, 2006
  • The Road to Kittery and the End of the Russo-Japanese WarDr. Norman Saul (History, University of Kansas)Dr. Saul discusses the Russian expansion and the Russo-Japanese War.Spring 2006BrownbagJanuary 31, 2006
  • Victory in Europe, May 1945: Different Interpretations by Russians, Poles and Baltic Peoples.Dr. Anna Cienciala (Professor Emerita, Department of History, University of Kansas)Dr. Cienciala discussed the Declaration of Liberated Europe, signed in Yalta by Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin.Fall 2005BrownbagNovember 8, 2005
  • Black and Caspian Sea Security: Threats Vs. OpportunitiesDr. Volodymyr Dubovyk (Department of International Relations, Institute of Social Sciences, Odesa National University, Odesa, Ukraine)Dr. Dubovyk discusses soft security's social, economic and political aspects. He further discusses social problems such as human trafficking and drug cartels.Fall 2005BrownbagOctober 17, 2005

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