CEES Seminars & Events 2010-11
West Coast Seminar 2010 -2011
Semester 2 Programme
Wednesday 16 March 2011, 5.30pm
University of Glasgow, CEES seminar room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Dr Elizabeth Waters, University of Westminster. View abstract: Dr Elizabeth Waters
"Evidence-based satire: Soviet cartoons on drink and drunkenness, 1964-1982"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Wednesday 02 February 2011, 5.30pm
University of Glasgow, CEES seminar room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Dr Valentyna Romanova, Marie Curie International Fellow, Politics and International Relations, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. View abstract: Dr Valentyna Romanova
"Democratisation vs Regional Diversity during Transition: the Case of Ukraine"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Wednesday 26 January 2011, 5.30pm
University of Glasgow, CEES seminar room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Dr Mychailo Wynnyckyj, Director of the Graduate School, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine. View abstract: Dr Mychailo Wynnyckyj
"Ukraine's post-Soviet political elite: recent research on recruitment, circulation and network relations"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Wednesday 12 January 2011, 5.30pm
University of Glasgow, CEES seminar room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Dr Keiji Sato Visiting Fellow in CEES, University of Glasgowand Slavic Centre, University of Hokkaido. View abstract: Dr Keiji Sato
"Acknowledgement of the Secret Protocol of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact and the Declaration of the State Sovereignty by the Union Republics of the USSR"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Semester 1 Programme
Monday 18 October 2010, 5.30 pm
University of Glasgow, Room 507 Boyd Orr Building Terry Wade Memorial Lecture
Professor Rosalind Marsh (Department of European Studies and Modern Languages, University of Bath. View abstract: Professor Rosalind Marsh
"The Rise of Political Fiction in the Post-Soviet Period"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Wednesday 27 October 2010, 5.30 pm
University of Glasgow, CEES Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Dr Csaba Törő, Central and East European Studies Visiting Research FellowAssociate professor of international relations and law at the Budapest College of Communication and Business, and senior research fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs. View abstract: Dr Csaba Törő
"In search of the effective representation and promotion of shared interests from Central Europe to the Baltic Sea: The emerging pattern of co-ordination between the Visegrad (V4) and the Baltic (B3) countries within the EU and beyond"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Thursday 04 November 2010, 5.30 pm
University of Glasgow, CEES Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Professor Abraham Ascher, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Graduate Center, City University of New York. View abstract: Professor Abraham Ascher
'A Community Under Siege: the Jews of Breslau (Wroclaw) under Nazism'
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Wednesday 01 December 2010, 5.30pm
University of Glasgow, CEES seminar room, 8-9 Lilybank Garden
Dr Richard Connolly, CEELBAS Research Fellow, Centre for Russian and East European Studies, School of Government and Society, University of Birmingham. View abstract: Dr Richard Connolly
"The global financial-economic crisis and emerging Europe: what has changed?
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
Wednesday 12 January 2010, 5.30pm
University of Glasgow, CEES seminar room, 8-9 Lilybank Garden
Visiting Fellow in CEES, University of Glasgow and Slavic Centre, University of Hokkaido.
"Acknowledgement of the Secret Protocol of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact and the Declaration of the State Sovereignty by the Union Republics of the USSR"
Tea and Coffee from 5.00
All Welcome
CEES Work in Progress Seminars
The work in progress seminars which are for both staff and postgraduates (research and taught) within CEES provide an opportunity to give presentations on aspects of current research (for example overview of research design; discussion of methodological, fieldwork, ethical, writing or publication issues) with the aim of generating feedback / discussion in an constructive and supportive setting.
The workshops also provide an ideal forum to ‘trial run’ conference and workshop/seminar papers etc. Individuals and/or groups of staff/students are welcome to present. Any ideas for future workshops would be very welcome: either proposals for individual presentations or proposals for a theme for a roundtable/group discussion. Please contact Moya Flynn.
All research students and staff are strongly encouraged to attend these workshops, which provide a place to learn about research going on within CEES and to discuss key issues of research practice, in an informal and relaxed environment.
Work in Progress Seminars 2010-2011
Wednesday 25th May 12.00-1.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Taulant Guma (CEES) will give a presentation on:
'Developing an analytical framework for studying social security and risks amongst Central and East European migrants living in Glasgow'Wednesday 1st June 15.00-16.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Zuleykha Mail Zada (CEES) will give a presentation based on her PhD research to date:
"Reassembling the Right to Health from Soviet Communism to Ideologies of Global Health Securities"
The presentation will explore post-humanism as a possible approach in understanding the re-entrance of human rights into health in the context of post-Soviet international politics.
Wednesday 23rd March, 15.00-16.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Professor Geoff Swain (University of Glasgow):
'Working with Oral and Archival Sources for the Sovietisation of Latvia, 1944-52'.
Wednesday 26th January, 15.00-16.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Liam O’Shea (St. Andrews University):
‘Chaos, Chaos Theory and Crime and Policing in the former Soviet Union (How do we analyse the complexity of crime and policing in the FSU and promote more humane policing practices?)
Wednesday 15th December, 15.00-16.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Jack Sharples 'Russia's External Gas Policy - Experiences of Fieldwork in Russia'.
The session will draw on Jack's doctoral research on 'Russia's External Gas Policy', and his recent experience of fieldwork in Russia.
Wednesday 10th November, 15.00-16.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Work in Progress session on fieldwork
The session will comprise a number of brief presentations by staff and students which will focus on a range of issues relating to carrying out fieldwork/archive work in the region including: practicalities; problems; preparations; methods; positive/negative experiences. After the presentations there will be lots of time for a general discussion and questions.
The session will be particularly useful for those going out on fieldwork/to do archive work in the near future and for those who are just starting their PhD, it will be a good opportunity to think about future plans.
Wednesday 13th October 15.00-16.30
Seminar Room, 8-9 Lilybank Gardens
Eamonn Butler 'The EU’s Roma Actorness: Implications of Developing a Roma Strategy for Europe'
Recent events in France concerning the 'voluntary' expulsion of Roma migrants from Romania and Bulgaria and the subsequent war-of-words between the French Government and Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, highlights many questions about the EU's ability or desire to act in this matter and reflects demand for a coherent Roma Strategy to be developed. This work-in-progress seminar asks to what extent developments approaching the Roma problem at an EU level can be explained by classic European integration theories such as neoliberal intergovernmentalism and neofunctionalist institutionalism.
Events 2010-1011
BASEES Study Group on the Baltic States Annual Meeting
9 MAY 2010
School of Law
Swansea University
The BASEES Study Group on the Baltic States is an informal and interdisciplinary forum, which meets annually to foster greater discussion, collaborative research, interaction with policy practitioners and other non-academic partners and, potentially, joint activities in teaching. Membership of the group is open to UK academics and postgraduates from any discipline with an interest in the Baltic region who are conducting research relevant to the area.
A symposium on issues of topical interest to the Baltic region and beyond is convened on an annual basis by the Study Group. The Seventh Annual Meeting will be convened at the School of Law, Swansea University on 9 May 2010, 1pm-4pm, with the following speakers:
Dr Anneli Albi (University of Kent): “Challenges Faced by Baltic and Central European Constitutional Courts in Applying EU Law”.
Dr Valters Scerbinskis (Riga Stradins University): “Latgallian Parties and Politicians before 1940 and Now”.
Dr Allan Sikk (University College London): “Postcommunism and Postmaterialism? The Foundations of Green Politics in Estonia”.
Travel information concerning Swansea University and the School of Law is available here: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/alumniandvisitors/howtogethere/
All are welcome to attend; please contact Dr Richard Caddell (j.r.caddell@swansea.ac.uk) for more information.
CRCEES IV Annual Research Forum
The Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies (CRCEES) will be holding its fourth annual Research Forum at the Gilmorehill Centre, University of Glasgow, on 12-13 May 2011.
As previously, there will be a combination of research panels, plenary sessions and informal workshops to celebrate the variety of work being undertaken within the CRCEES network.
Themes include:
- Aspects of identity and culture and their social, political and economic implications;
- Economic and social transformation;
- Political transformation and international relations;
- Literary, cinematic and cultural developments in the area;
- The politics of language.
- Area Studies and Post-socialism
- History and Memory
- Post-enlargement Studies
- Regionalism
- Migration and Diaspora
- Security
- Material and Visual Culture and National Identity
Or the strategic research agendas that have emerged from CRCEES activities so far:
For further information Download:
12 -13 May Gilmorehill Centre University of Glasgow
Translating Russian & East European Cultures
Programme of events associated with the CRCEES Research Forum
GoMA Roundtable Event
12 May 2011, 2:30 to 6pm
Top-floor studio, GoMA
A roundtable on Knowledge exchange as participatory practice: Exploring links between play and visual pedagogies and the private view of the exhibition with Women@Play. Presented by University of the West of Scotland and University of Glasgow with support by AHRC and CRCEES research forum.
Further information uwspracticeresearch.blogspot.com/
Symposium ‘Mashing Up: Curating Practice’, CCA
Friday 13 May 2011
Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)
2pm to 7pm
- Ryszard Kluszczynski, “Curating Art@ Science; curating Mediations: Reflections on the working in-between”
- Brendan Jackson, “Small world, isn’t it?”
For further information download:
Operation Exhibition
22-27 April 2011
41 West Graham Street, Glasgow, G4 9LJ
The exhibition will explore the contemporary Eastern-European art-scene’s obsession with using visual and ideological elements of its Soviet past: To what extent is this due to the artists’ childhood memories, overlapping with the last years of the Soviet era? Is there something in the essence of these elements? Something that makes them perfect for continuing the heritage of the grand masters of the early 20th century?
Estonian Ambassador to the Uk would like to meet CEES students
10:45 am Friday 4 March 2011
Seminar Room8 Lilybank GardensGlasgowRefreshments will be provided. In the interests of catering please let Maggie Baister know by 5pm on Tuesday 1st March if you will be attending
We are very pleased to announce that Her Excellency Ms Aino Lepik von Wirén, Estonian Ambassador to the UK, (http://www.estonia.gov.uk/embassy/ambassador ) is undertaking an official visit to Scotland on 3rd and 4th March 2011. The Ambassador will visit Central and East European Studies at 10.45 on Friday 4th March and would like to meet students studying Central and East European Studies as well as students from Estonian studying at the University of Glasgow.
Please feel free to come along to the CEES Seminar Room, 8 Lilybank Gardens, at 10.45 for an informal meeting lasting about an hour or so.
Special Guest Seminar: Deputy Hungarian Ambassador to the UK
Hungary’s Presidency of the European Union: A Strong Europe with a Human Touch
4pm Wednesday 2 March 2011
Seminar Room 8 Lilybank GardensGlasgowWe are very pleased to announce that the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in the UK , Ms. Klára Breuer, will be visiting Glasgow on Wednesday 02 March 2011. Ms Breuer will give a guest seminar to which all are warmly invited.
For further information on the seminar download: Programme
Lecture: Ignacy Paderewski and His Legacy
Anita J Prażmowska, Proffessor of International History, London School of Economics gives the lecture on: Ignacy Paderwski and His Legacy
4 pm Tuesday 1 March
Paderewski’s name is usually associated with music but, like many Polish artists and intellectuals, he could not avoid dealing with the Polish national cause. Unlike many, however, he had an opportunity significantly to affect the creation of the new state after 1918. He and Piłsudski are considered the architects of modern Poland, though his contribution has been overshadowed by the latter, whose personality dominated interwar politics. This lecture will redress the balance by examining the lasting impact of Paderewski’s activities at Versailles in 1919 and its continuing relevance within contemporary Poland.
Why don’t Estonians watch Estonian films?
A series of lectures, together with film screening by Gerda Kordemets (producer, Estonian National TV)
Tuesday 1 March 2011 3-5 pm and 5-7 pm
Thursday 3 March 2011 3-5 pm and 5-7 pm
Central and East European Studies
University of Glasgow
8-9 Lilybank Gardens
We are pleased to welcome Gerda Kordemets, produces on Estonian National TV, to Central and East European Studies. She will give a short series of lectures with film screenings. Everyone is welcome.
Specialist Polish Language Training for Postgraduate Students
December 2010
Connecting Communities via Language: Reading Strategies and Translation Skills for Post-Intermediate Learners of Polish.
This training is aimed at Research Preparation Master’s students, Doctoral students and researchers whose command of Polish is at an intermediate level but who need to study primary sources in Polish, and therefore need to enhance their general and specialised reading competence for authentic sources, advanced archival research, and translation. Furthermore, the training will also enable students to exchange their own experiences and share good practice. more >
Exhibition: The Baltic Way
A photographic exhibition dedicated to the human chain linking three Baltic states in their drive for freedom on 23 August 1989.
Interfaith Chaplaincy
West Quadrangle, University of Glasgow
14 January – 25 February 2011
Chaplaincy open Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Opening reception: 14 January at 5.30 pm ; RSVP by 10 January
The world was moved by the sheer audacity of the Baltic Way, by the passion of the people involved, by the commitment of so many against such enormous odds. When 2 million Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians joined hands across their Baltic homelands to demonstrate their desire for independence, they showed the world the Baltic Way to freedom.
August 23, 1989 was the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the Soviet-Nazi pact to rule Europe. The popular fronts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania chose this day to send a message to Moscow that a half century of illegal Soviet rule was about to end. Two million men, women and children formed a living chain that extended for 600 km and linked the three Baltic capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.
In support, the Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians living in exile gathered in Bonn (Germany) and Toronto (Canada), at the same time as millions of their compatriots behind the Iron Curtain, to demand freedom for the Baltic States. Just as the fall of the Berlin Wall signalled change in Central Europe, this remarkable show of unity by the Baltic Sea made headlines around the world. Two years later, in 1991, the goal of the Baltic Way was achieved and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania restored to independence.
Contact: Ann Mulholland
Telephone: 0141 330 8539
Visit: www.gla.ac.uk/crcees/announce/events.htm for further information
Conference: Glasgow meets Giessen – cooperation day
3 November, 2010
Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen
The cooperation day will develop collaboration between graduate schools within:
- Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow
- Gießener Zentrum Östliches Europa, Justus-Liebig-Universität, GiZo
- International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture, Justus-Liebig-Universität, GCSC
- Herder-Institut Marburg
The cooperation day will also discuss possibilities for joint research projects, postgraduate student exchange and joint teaching programmes between these institutes.
“Rural Realities in the Post-socialist Space: Understanding Social, Cultural and Political Change in the Russian and Eastern European Countryside"
12-13 November 2010, University of Glasgow
Organisers:
Prof. Rebecca Kay, Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow
Dr Sergei Shubin, Department of Geography and Environment, University of Aberdeen
Co-funded and supported by:
CEES Subject Group, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow
Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow
Institute for Rural Research, University of Aberdeen
This international workshop will bring together 22 researchers from 8 countries, working in rural areas across the post-socialist region.
The workshop aims to bring more careful attention to the meanings of rurality and to address the complexity of rural societies and cultures in Eastern Europe. Importantly, it will provide a much needed forum for researchers engaged in small-scale, qualitative research often in very specific localities to come together and share insight and analysis in order to assist in developing a clearer picture of the specificities and commonalities of rural developments across the region.
Envisaged outcomes of the workshop include:
• Special issue of a top-ranking cross-disciplinary journal bringing together selected papers from the workshop. (Full papers will need to be submitted by 31 December 2010)
• Development of ongoing network for collaboration and discussion of research findings
Over the past two decades in Russia and Eastern Europe complex processes of socio-economic, cultural and political change have affected rural localities and populations in diverse and challenging ways. As for the Eastern European countries in general, new “market” ideology and transitional forces, in particular changing economic practices, have tended to be automatically accepted as a driving force, which defined rural space in Eastern Europe. This picture has been reflected in both the Western media and academic discourse, where the marginality of the rural in the general context of political and economic change has been taken for granted. Specifically, academic focus has tended to be on agriculture and the shift from collective/state to private farming in rural Eastern Europe whilst far less attention has been paid to wider social, cultural, political questions and issues. Research in these areas has been developing in recent years, but there have been very few opportunities for groups of academics working in these areas to come together in an international forum to discuss results and findings.
2ND UK-Finnish Postgraduate Workshop: Critical Reflections on Russia and Eastern Europe
19 - 20 November, 2010
A joint seminar organised by the Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies [CRCEES], University
of Glasgow, the Finnish Graduate School for Russian and East European studies, and the School of
Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, University of Manchester
The seminar will discuss papers that reflect critically on social and/or cultural issues pertaining to Russia and Eastern Europe within a contemporary or historical framework. In addition, it is intended that one of the sessions will develop last year’s theme dealing with research method and knowledge creation and papers focussed on methodological issues/research practice are also welcome.
For more information Download: Programme -2ND UK-FINNISH POSTGRADUATE WORKSHOP
Seminar: Poetry Translation
A good translation of a poem is a declaration of love for the original. Kristiina Ehin and Ilmar Lehtpere will present an introduction to the art of translating poetry and, in the course of the ensuing discussion, will endeavour to give participants a practical understanding of the joys and complexities of conveying the voice of the poet into another language.
12 to 3 pm, 26 November, 2010
8-9 Lilybank Gardens, Seminar Room
Estonian Songs and Sounds
Mari Kalkun and Anna Hints are are singers and interpreters of traditional songs and music. Runo singing (regilaul) is an Estonian singing tradition which dates back thousands of years. Singing accompanied every aspect of life carrying wisdom passed on from generation to generation.
How do these old stories sound and echo in the 21st Century? The singers are discovering these songs through experimenting and improvising new soundscapes with their voices, following their intuition and relying on their Southern Estonian roots.
Estonian Songs and Sounds Poster
27 November, 2010
Sloans Grand Ballroom, Glasgow
Deputy Hungarian Ambassador delivers special guest seminar at the University of Glasgow
Klára Breuer, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in the UK delivered a special guest seminar at the University of Glasgow on 2 March 2011.
The seminar on ' Hungary’s Presidency of the European Union: A Strong Europe with a Human Touch’ was well received by students and academics.
Ms Breuer is a graduate of the Humanities Faculty of the Kossuth Lajos University of Debrecen (MA History/English Language and Literature) and the Journalism School of the Hungarian Journalists’ Association. Previous posts include Acting Head of the Department of International and European Organisation and Chief Foreign Policy Advisor for the Office of the President of the Republic of Hungary. She has published articles relating to foreign affairs and supports several charitable activities.
The Deputy Ambassador was officially welcomed to the University of Glasgow by Professor Graham Caie (Clerk of Senate and Vice Principal) and Professor Richard Berry (Director of CRCEES).
Students Meet the Estonian Ambassador to the UK
Her Excellency Ms Aino Lepik von Wirén, Estonian Ambassador to the UK, recently visited the University of Glasgow as part of an official visit to Scotland on 4 March 2011. She was welcomed by Professor Andrea Nolan, Senior Vice Principal and Deputy Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. The Ambassador was accompanied by the Estonian Cultural Attaché Ms Reet Remmel, Press Attaché Kadri-Mai Kaunissaare and Honorary Consul of Estonia in Scotland , Mr Iain Lawson.
The Ambassador held discussions with the Head of Central and East European Studies, David Smith (Professor of Baltic History & Politics) and Ms Lea Kreinin (Lecturer in Estonian Language & Culture) and other staff within the School of Social and Political Sciences.
During the visit the Estonian Ambassador took the opportunity to meet students at the University of Glasgow studying Central and East European Studies as well as Estonian students. Ms von Wirén chatted to students about their experiences of studying in Glasgow, courses and future career prospects.
New Publication: Forgotten Pages in Baltic History
Forgotten Pages in Baltic History
Diversity and Inclusion
Edited by Martyn Housden and David J. Smith
Rodopi, Amsterdam/New York, NY 2011. VIII, 332 pp. (On the Boundary of Two Worlds: Identity, Freedom, and Moral Imagination in the Baltics 30)
ISBN: 978-90-420-3315-3 Paper 
ISBN: 978-90-420-3316-0 E-Book
Online info: http://www.rodopi.nl/senj.asp?BookId=BALTIC+30
The years from 1918 to 1945 remain central to European History. It was a breath-taking time during which the very best and very worst attributes of Mankind were on display. In the euphoria of peace which followed the end of the First World War, the Baltic States emerged as independent forces on the world stage, participating in thrilling experiments in national and transnational governance. Later, following economic collapse and in the face of rising totalitarianism among even Europe’s most cultured nations, Baltic communities succumbed to nationalism too. During wartime, Baltic peoples became both victims and, sometimes, victimisers. Ultimately their victimhood lasted until the end of the Cold War, yielding consequences still discernible at the start of the twenty first century.
Taking the period 1918 to 1945 as pivotal, this collection of essays examines some of the key themes in Baltic History as they are emerging today. These include appreciations of identity, autonomy and the rights of national minorities; the everyday and social foundations of international security; and the importance of historical memory to popular and political identities.
New Publication: The Last Ambassador
The last ambassador
August Torma, soldier, diplomat, spy
Tina Tamman
Rodopi, Amsterdam/New York, NY 2011. XVII, 251 pp. (Illustrated) (On the Boundary of Two Worlds: Identity, Freedom, and Moral Imagination in the Baltics 29)
ISBN: 978-90-420-3313-9 Paper 
ISBN: 978-90-420-3314-6 E-Book
Online info: http://www.rodopi.nl/senj.asp?BookId=BALTIC+29
Estonian ambassador August Torma had a protracted and unconventional relationship with the British Foreign Office. Appointed to the Court of St James’s in 1934, Torma lost his government in 1940 when the Soviet Union overran his country, but continued to live at the legation in London and visit the Foreign Office. Gradually, however, his diplomatic standing was eroded because of Soviet demands. For Torma there was the very real fear that Britain might recognise the Soviet occupation of his homeland and he continued to reiterate his faith in international law in the hope that Estonia’s stolen independence would be restored one day. He died in 1971, twenty years before the country regained its lost freedom. This book is a biography of Torma who had a remarkable life: he assisted in the creation of the Estonian state in 1918-20, worked for it during the inter-war period and struggled to keep its cause alive during and after the Second World War; it is also a study of the awkward relationship between the ambassador and the Foreign Office that lasted for more than three decades.
ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre PhD scholarships
Language Based Area Studies PhD scholarships will be ESRC Logoawarded by the Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies, (CRCEES) University of Glasgow, and the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW), University of Edinburgh. Starting date September 2011.
CRCEES invites applicants under its 2+3 model,which entails an MRes in Russian, Central and East European Studies in year one, a postgraduate diploma in a relevant language in year two, followed by three years of PhD funding.
The deadline for applications is 3 May 2011, with further scholarships available annually during 2012-2015
For further information on how to apply: CRCEES and CASAW or download: ESRC DTC scholarships (pdf)
CRCEES 2011 Summer School
Call for Participants
5th CRCEES Postgraduate Research Methodology Summer School
New York University, Prague, Monday 11th – Wednesday 20th July 2011
Theme: Politics of Language: Approaches to Nations, Communities and Cultures in Contemporary Central Europe
Applications submitted by: 17 March
The 2011 CRCEES Summer School is open to research and taught postgraduate students from UK and overseas CRCEES partners whose research interests fall within the remit of the summer school programme. CRCEES will pay the full costs of registration, accommodation and excursions for students from its partner institutions, and will also provide funding towards their travel costs. Participants will be expected to pay for their own meals (lunch and dinner), unless otherwise indicated in the programme.
Postgraduate students from other UK and European (particularly Central and East European) universities are also welcome to apply to attend the Summer School, but will not be eligible for CRCEES financial support and should seek alternative sources of funding.
Fourth CRCEES Research Forum
Call for Papers
The Research Forum will be organised by the CRCEES Research Committee, which is calling for proposals for individual papers or panels, plenary sessions, and workshops. It is particularly keen to involve contributions from Postgraduate students; these may either take the form of papers integrated within panels or discreet Postgraduate events. Proposals from those outside the CRCEES network will be considered, and included where they strengthen the programme.
The members of the Research Committee are happy to give advice, and all proposals (250 words) should be with its chair, Geoff Swain: Geoffrey.Swain@glasgow.ac.uk by the deadline of 1 February 2011.
For further information download: Fourth CRCEES Research Forum - Call for Papers
The Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies (CRCEES) fourth annual Research Forum will be held:
12-13 May 2011Gilmorehill Centre, University of Glasgow
New publication announced
We are pleased to announce a new jointly-edited (David J. Smith, David J. Galbreath and Geoffrey Swain) publication from the CRCEES network, resulting from a number of events held at the University of Glasgow in November 2008 to celebrate 90 Years of Latvian Independence. Our PhD student Marina Germane is also represented.
From Recognition to Restoration
Latvia’s History as a Nation-State
Edited and Introduced by David J. Smith, David J. Galbreath and Geoffrey Swain
Amsterdam/New York, NY 2010. 174 pp. (On the Boundary of Two Worlds: Identity, Freedom, and Moral Imagination in the Baltics 25)
ISBN: 978-90-420-3098-5 Paper
ISBN: 978-90-420-3099-2 E-Book
Taking its cue from the 90th anniversary commemorations of November 2008, this work explores the relationship between state and nationhood during the three phases to date in Latvia’s existence as a territorial entity: the sovereign statehood of 1918-1940; the Soviet and Nazi occupations of 1940-1944 and the ensuing half-century within the USSR; and the post-1991 period, which has seen the restoration of independence on the basis of legal continuity from the inter-war period and - latterly - accession to the European Union. The aim in relation to all three eras is to go beyond the often essentialising contours of Cold War and post-Cold War debates and reveal the underlying complexities and ambiguities of political and social development.
For full list of contents and further information please see : http://www.rodopi.nl/senj.asp?BookId=BALTIC+25
New Publication: Tito: A Biography
We are pleased to announce a new publication by Geoff Swain from the CRCEES network - Tito: A Biography
ISBN: 9781845117276
Josip Broz Tito was a remarkable figure in the history of Communism, the Second World War, the Balkans and post-war Eastern Europe. He was the only European besides Lenin to lead a successful Communist revolution and became one of the most renowned Communist leaders of all time. For a certain generation, he was remembered as someone who stood up to both Hitler and Stalin – and won. Tito was above all else a communist, and was devoted to the communist cause until the day he died. What made him different from other communist leaders was that his early experience of Soviet Russia had given him sufficient knowledge of the Soviet experiment to be wary of its spell. In this, the first post-communist biography of Tito, the acclaimed historian Geoffrey Swain paints a new picture of this famous figure, focusing primarily on his Communist years. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in Communist and Eastern European history.
For more information visit: http://www.ibtauris.com or download: Discount Promotion
CEES PhD student completes ESRC Internship
PhD research student has completed an ESRC and Scottish Government Student Internship Scheme from December 2009 - March 2010.
Paul's Report :
Last year I applied to the ESRC Internship scheme open competition to work as an intern for three months with the Scottish Government. I secured a placement with the Directorate for Culture, External Affairs and Tourism. As well providing an opportunity to see the workings of the Government first-hand, interns are also given individual projects to work on in an area of work which is relevant to the unit. My placement project focussed on the Creative Industries in Scotland. I was responsible for managing a research grant application (Knowledge Exchange Partnership) at the Institute for Capitalising on Creativity at St Andrews University on behalf of the Scottish Government. I worked with key stakeholders including the Scottish Creative Industries Partnership on identifying potential research topics for the proposal as well as liaising with other external creative bodies.
Whilst the subject area was outside of my doctoral research I was able to utilise my research skills and effectively manage the project. I was also given an opportunity to meet with other colleagues and find out more about their work. I was particularly interested in the promotion of Scotland internationally at a time when the Scottish Government were conducting research around Scotland’s brand essence as part of a re-launch of the Brand Scotland initiative.
I relished the internship experience and not only found it interesting but I was also able to build upon my skills as a researcher. I felt that I made a positive contribution to the Scottish Government and was given support throughout my placement. I would certainly recommend the internship scheme to others. The placement strengthened my interest in the work of the Scottish Government and I am keen to explore this as a future employment option. I enjoyed my time at the Scottish Government and have even made friends with the people in my division. On the other hand I don’t miss the daily commute to Edinburgh!
The photo shows Paul with fellow CRCEES student Beatrix Futak-Campbell, who also participated on the internship scheme.
CEES hosts Glasgow participation in world-wide Estonian online sing-in
Glasgow University was among more than 100 participants in the first Estonian online song festival Ühtelaulmine 2010. Altogether over 30 people gathered including GU students. GU student Marten Krijgsman shares his impressions about the event:
“Having tens of thousands of people sing at the same time doesn’t seem like too much of a problem, but coordinating it across the world is a whole new level of impressive. Estonian TV producer Artur Talvik managed to unite the Estonian diaspora to participate in the world’s first cyberspace song festival, dubbed Ühtelaulmine, marking the 19th anniversary of the country’s re-independence.
While massive song festivals aren’t unheard of in Estonia – the country is famous for its choral tradition and its five-yearly Laulupidu – never before had anything like it been organized over the Internet. With over 100 choirs across the country and countless groups of Estonians abroad participating, everyone joined in to sing in an hour-long marathon of songs, opened by president Ilves himself. Of course Scotland’s Estonians sang too – under the enthusiastic guidance of Glasgow University lecturer Lea Kreinin from Central and East European Studies – with people from Glasgow, Hamilton, Perth and Edinburgh making the journey to Glasgow to experience this unique event that once again reinforced Estonia’s reputation as a small but innovative and creative country.”
(23.080.2010)
Honorary Professorship for Richard Berry
Many congratulations to Professor Richard Berry, director of CRCEES, who has been awarded an honorary Professorship by the Széchenyi István University of Győr in western Hungary. Prof Berry was previously awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Hungarian language, culture and society.
CRCEES signed an agreement with the University of Győr in 2008 to promote co-operation in research. Staff exchanges have so far resulted in two conferences on European expansion and a recent summer school on political economy.
Fourth CRCEES Research Forum
The Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies (CRCEES) will be holding its fourth annual Research Forum at the Gilmorehill Centre, University of Glasgow, on 12-13 May 2011.
As previously, there will be a combination of research panels, plenary sessions and informal workshops to celebrate the variety of work being undertaken within the CRCEES network.
Themes include:
- Aspects of identity and culture and their social, political and economic implications;
- Economic and social transformation;
- Political transformation and international relations;
- Literary, cinematic and cultural developments in the area;
- The politics of language.
- Area Studies and Post-socialism
- History and Memory
- Post-enlargement Studies
- Regionalism
- Migration and Diaspora
- Security
- Material and Visual Culture and National Identity
For further information Download:
Programme of Events: Translating Russian & East European Cultures
Programme of events associated with the CRCEES Research Forum
GoMA Roundtable Event
12 May 2011, 2:30 to 6pm
Top-floor studio, GoMA
A roundtable on Knowledge exchange as participatory practice: Exploring links between play and visual pedagogies and the private view of the exhibition with Women@Play. Presented by University of the West of Scotland and University of Glasgow with support by AHRC and CRCEES research forum.
Further information uwspracticeresearch.blogspot.com/
Symposium ‘Mashing Up: Curating Practice’, CCA
Friday 13 May 2011
Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)
2pm to 7pm
- Ryszard Kluszczynski, “Curating Art@ Science; curating Mediations: Reflections on the working in-between”
- Brendan Jackson, “Small world, isn’t it?”