CfA: 4th UPTAKE training school “Straight Talk about Russia”

Call for Applications

Fourth UPTAKE PhD Training School
STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT RUSSIA
Internal Developments, External Conflicts and Outside Perceptions

26 August – 1 September 2018
Uppsala University, Sweden

Within the framework of the H2020 UPTAKE Project, we are happy to announce a Call for Applications for the fourth UPTAKE PhD Training School. The event will be held from 26 August to 1 September, at the Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Uppsala University, Sweden. Its main objective, as on previous occasions, is to offer an opportunity for research development, training and exchange of ideasfor PhD and postdoctoral students working in the field of Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies.

The theme of the Training School is to take stock of developments in and relations to Russia since the end of the Cold War, and the subsequent collapse of the USSR. The basic premise is that during these now close to three decades, Russia has been in more or less constant focus. In reflection of radical internal transformations, outside attitudes have swung from unbounded optimism, to doom and gloom, to re-energized beliefs in an economic boom and to perceptions, following the crisis in Ukraine, of Russia as a threat.

The purpose of the present Training School is to invite PhD and postdoctoral students to reflect on these developments, assuming that there are few if any developments in the region that have not in some way, directly or indirectly, involved Russia. Topics may be wide-ranging, from internal developments (Russian economic and political trends, including increased militarization), to external conflicts (from accusations against Russia of aggression against neighboring countries and of behaving like a bully in energy relations to increasing complications in relations with the EU and NATO), and outside perceptions (persistent failures to get Russia right, from “transition” to military confrontation and the Kremlin’s increasing foreign policy ambitions).

The approach of the Training School is interdisciplinary, meaning that we welcome participation from across the social sciences, the humanities and law. Papers may focus exclusively on Russia, on the impact of and responses to Russian actions in neighboring countries, including but not limited to the Eastern neighbourhood, the Baltics, Central Asia and the Caucasus, and on the changing geopolitical role of Russia in the global order. Comparative approaches are also welcome.

The mainstay of the Training School will be the presentation and discussion of papers submitted by the participating students. Papers will be grouped into a series of panels with 3-4 presentations in each. Panels will be chaired by senior scholars, and appointed discussants will lead off, to ensure that all participants get valuable feedback on their contribution.

In addition to the panel discussions, the Training School will include invited lectures by senior scholars in the field, and by Swedish officials reflecting on the changing political and security situation in the Baltic region. Confirmed presenters include:

Kaj Hobér, Professor of Law at Uppsala University and Chairperson at the Stockholm Arbitration Institute;
Daniel Wolvén, Deputy Director for International and EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The program also includes a study visit to the Swedish Parliament, and a meeting with First deputy Speaker Ewa Thalén Finné.
The event will open with a keynote address and conclude with a panel discussion where students are expected to show active participation.

In order to ensure that all papers presented receive adequate attention, places are limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Participation by students from Uppsala, Tartu and Kent – the UPTAKE partners – is fully funded by UPTAKE, subject to the eligibility criteria (this includes travel, accommodation and selected meals). External participants are warmly welcomed, but will be expected to secure their own funding for travel and accommodation. There is no participation fee.

In order to apply, please fill in the attached form, including a brief abstract of the paper you intend to present at the Training School (150 to 200 words), and return it to Stella Marceta no later than 1 May 2018 (stella.marceta@ires.uu.se), including “UPTAKE TS UPPSALA” in the subject line. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by mid-May. In order to ensure a guaranteed place, participants will be required to submit position papers by 10 August.

Application Form
Call for Applications

The summer school is funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 691818 “Building Research Excellence in Russian and East European Studies at the Universities of Tartu, Uppsala and Kent (UPTAKE).”

Forwarded by:
Maili Vilson
Research Communication Specialist
Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
University of Tartu
maili.vilson@ut.ee
737 6584