About Us

MIRS group

Welcome! Добро пожаловать!

The Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (MIRS), located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, California, is a comprehensive academic program dedicated to advancing the study of Russia and U.S.-Russia relations. Through its various educational offerings, MIRS provides graduate students and professionals opportunities to engage with critical issues in security, diplomacy, and international relations.

 

Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia (MSSR)

One of the flagship programs under the auspices of MIRS is the Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia (MSSR), an intensive summer program that brings together leading experts and graduate students from around the world to explore key topics in Russian studies. The symposium features lectures, discussions, and collaborative research projects on Russian politics, culture, and history, offering participants direct interaction with policymakers, historians, and scholars.

Visiting Experts programs

MIRS also runs Visiting Experts programs, inviting renowned scholars, diplomats, and practitioners to Monterey for lectures, workshops, and mentoring sessions with students. These programs enrich the academic experience by offering firsthand expertise and facilitating professional development.

Other MIRS Projects

To support the next generation of Russian studies specialists, MIRS provides funding for graduate students’ research and conference participation, enabling them to conduct fieldwork, attend conferences, and present their research on U.S.-Russia relations.

MIRS invites those interested to explore two additional valuable projects that had been implemented during the pandemic:

  • The Ambassadorial Series, which includes two seasons of interviews and discussions with U.S. and Russian ambassadors, offering unique perspectives on diplomacy and international relations.

     

  • The Monterey Conversations, a series of recorded discussions with leading experts on Russian foreign policy, history, and current affairs, providing in-depth analyses of the most pressing issues.

 

  •  The Bridge, a joint project developed by the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies and the National Security Archive at George Washington University, featuring a series of talks by leading scholars, who share their experience and provide guidance for research in Russian language archives.