Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies

GIRS students and staff participating in various activities

About Us
The Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies (GIRS) promotes a nuanced and clear-eyed understanding of contemporary Russia and U.S.-Russia relations. GIRS funds students’ research trips to Russia and provides them with opportunities to professionalize their Russian language skills through interaction with visiting experts in the field of Eurasian studies.

The Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia
The Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia (MSSR) is a seven-week, interdisciplinary summer program
based in Monterey, CA. It brings together a small, select group of young experts on Russia and Eurasia,
young diplomats and graduate students with advanced Russian language skills.
In addition to honing professional skills in workshops on podcasting, TV presentations,
and negotiations bootcamp, participants learn from leading experts, network and
explore alternative strategies for conducting a more pragmatic and constructive
Russia-related discourse.
The Bridge: Connecting Past and Present Through Archival Research on Russia
Despite all the indications to the contrary, many of the most important Russian archives are open and worth investigating. The goal of this project is to illuminate archival sources and disseminate information about collections that are available (in-person and online) for the use of students and young experts in the field. Research based on original source material is of paramount importance to moving the field of Russian Studies forward. Some highlights of this project include how to access critical archives such as RGANI, GARF, and the Foreign Ministry archives; tips on how to access archival material in regional archives that may be off-limits in Moscow; and how to access a variety of archival material online from the comfort of your own home or office.

The Bridge: Connecting Past and Present Through Archival Research on Russia is presented by the National Security Archive at George Washington University and the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Carnegie Corporation of New York provided funding for this project.
Geopolitics on the Move
Geopolitics on the Move is a podcast series hosted by Fyodor Lukyanov and Sean Guillory. It is produced by the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, Russia in Global Affairs, and the Center for Russian, Eastern European, & Eurasian Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Corporation of New York provided funding for this project.
Visiting Experts Program
GIRS invites renowned academics, diplomats, analysts and journalists from all over the world to speak to students at MIIS. Students have opportunities to engage intellectually with leading thinkers in the field. Each expert offers a series of presentations in Russian or English and a public seminar. GIRS participants can also meet one-on-one with visiting experts and participate in informal discussions.
Research and Travel Grants
GIRS sponsors student research and internships in Russia. In the past, GIRS also organized fully funded group research trips to the Russian Far East.
Levada Center Translations
GIRS students translate weekly public opinion polls conducted by the Levada Center, a leading independent research organization in Russia. In addition to the valuable professional experience gained by student translators, the English translations extend the reach of sociological research conducted by Levada Center experts.
US-Russian Dialogue Series
Students at MIIS and MGIMO hold a series of virtual roundtable discussions over the year to share Russian and American perspectives on key issues such as biosecurity, nuclear policy, regional conflicts and the role of media. These dialogues engender relationships between peers in the two countries and give students from both institutions the opportunity to exchange analyses and opinions regarding acute international issues.
GIRS News
Stay up to date with GIRS news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Access lecture recordings and engage with experts by subscribing to the MSSR YouTube channel.
Contact Us
GIRS is located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in Monterey, CA.

Anna Vassilieva, GIRS director
Email: avassili@miis.edu

Jarlath McGuckin, GIRS deputy director
Email: jmcguckin@middlebury.edu

Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies

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