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Julian Connolly

Professor, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures


When did you first develop an interest in Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies?

I took two years of Russian language in high school (Phillips Exeter Academy), and after the second year, our teacher took a group of students to the Soviet Union.  This was 1967, and our trip to the Soviet Union was my first overseas experience.  I came back from that trip eager to learn more about Russian culture, history, and literature.

What support have you received throughout your career (from ASEEES / other societies / federal support / etc.) that has allowed you to advance your scholarship?    

I have been fortunate to be the recipient of several grants and fellowships, from an early research fellowship for recent Ph.D. recipients from the American Council of Learned Societies (1980) to travel grants from IREX (1995, 1998).  I also received funding from the University of Virginia’s Center for Russian and East European Studies which, at the time (1987), was supported by a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

What is your current research/work project?

 My two main areas of research interest are the writings of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Vladimir Nabokov, and I am working on several small projects related to each author.

What does your ASEEES membership mean to you?  How has your involvement with ASEEES helped to further your career?

 I think the greatest benefit I have derived from my ASEEES membership is the opportunity to network with colleagues at national conferences, gain new ideas from listening to presentations at these conferences, and generally feel supported in my research and teaching endeavors.

What do you believe is the most important impact ASEEES has on the field?

I would say that two things stand out: the opportunity for meeting and mingling with other scholars at national conferences, and the exposure to stimulating research through the Slavic Review.

Besides your professional work, what other interests and/or hobbies do you enjoy?

 I enjoy travel, dining and spending time outdoors.