Department of History

In Russian

The History Department prides itself on its dynamism, and has continued to evolve since it was established in 1994. The guiding principle has, however, remained unchanged: study of the past provides the opportunity for critical thought. In their research and graduate courses, faculty members explore new ways of understanding Russian history in a global context, as befits a twenty-first century characterized by global exchange. A broad interpretation of the boundaries of Russian history is visible in the department’s academic profile, as well as in its institutional commitments.

Our methodological approaches are frequently interdisciplinary, and we develop them in dialogue with colleagues working in other geographic contexts. Cooperation with Russian and international colleagues is an important part of the department’s activity — all of our faculty members present at academic conferences, we frequently welcome guest lecturers, and institutional agreements facilitate regular exchange. The History Department is committed to constantly reinventing itself — to drawing on successful traditions, incorporating lessons drawn from everyday experience, and assimilating the foremost international practices.

Teachers and researchers

Ekaterina Melnikova

Associate Professor, Department of History; Senior Researcher, Center for Applied Research

Events and news

A new episode of the podcast "History is Just Beginning" is on the air

A new episode of the Podcast "History Is Just Beginning" is on the air. This time the theme is "The Caucasian War: History and Memory".  This war became the longest military confrontation in the history of the Russian Empire. Today it is well remembered in the North Caucasus and hardly remembered at all in the rest of Russia.  Historians Amiran Urushadze and Vladimir Lapin discuss why the Russian Empire fought for the Caucasus for so long and how the mountain people managed to remain undefeated.