Transforming Russian Studies through Decolonization, Inclusivity, and Access

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

The forthcoming volume _Diversity and Decolonization in Russian Studies_ (T.J. Garza and R. Staufer, eds., Palgrave 2025) aims to present alternative ways to transform content and instruction in Russian language, literature, and culture. As a predominantly white field that prepares future professionals to adhere to traditional, canonical constructs, established patterns will persist without intentional transformational action. Given the lack of any edited volume dedicated exclusively to the topics of diversity and decolonization in the field, this edition and roundtable represent a most important point of departure for action leading to transformation and provide concrete examples, philosophical and historical approaches, and a body of work that confronts the challenges faced by the field. _Diversity and Decolonization in Russian Studies_ offers concrete examples, philosophical and historical approaches, and a body of work that confronts the challenges faced by the field of Russian studies. It also informs the improvement of education about Russia that occurs in K-12 curricula and can influence the reimagining of what US students understand about the Russian-speaking world overall. Roundtable participants will discuss their own chapters included in the volume, comment of each other's contributions, and respond to audience questions. Topics discussed in the Roundtable will include Historical, Cultural, and Ideological Ties Between African Americans and Russia, Decolonizing the Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies Classroom and Engaging with New Perspectives, Addressing LGBTQIA+ and Non-Binary Gender Identities in Russian L2 Classrooms, and Ecologies of Empathy in the Post-Russia Classroom.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development, Non-language Pedagogy, State-of-Field

Chair

• Rachel Stauffer, Virginia Tech

Roundtable Members

• Marina Alexandrova, U of Texas at Austin

• Allison Blakely, Boston U

• Kelly Knickmeier Cummings, Howard U

• B. Amarilis Lugo de Fabritz, Howard U

• Sunnie Trine'e Rucker-Chang, Ohio State U