ARISC Newsletter No 6
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MEMBER NEWSLETTER ISSUE No. 6 2014-2015 A mer i c a n R e s e a r c h Ins t i t u t e o f t h e Sou t h C a u c a s u s Welcome! book and LinkedIn, reaching a much broader audience. Keep us in the loop Talin Lindsay, Executive Director about any developments on your re- search, from grants, to publications, to It is with great pleasure that I share breakthroughs, and beyond. with you ARISC’s 2014-15 accomplish- I invite you to read our “Notes From ments and programming in this newslet- ter! Since ARISC started as a nonprofit Abroad” section starting on page 5 to learn more about the most recent schol- organization in 2006, we have steadily grown in our activities, funding opportu- arship being conducted in the region by nities, and reach. This third year of our the next generation of scholars of the South Caucasus. We have made several four-year grant through the US Depart- ment of Education has seen our overseas awards to graduate students and junior scholars working in a variety of disci- IN THIS ISSUE: offices flourish, and our support of schol- plines. We have a steady stream of ar- ars’ research in the region continue to chaeologists reporting on recent finds, as make an impact for junior academics. Welcome Note 1 well as reports from the disciplines of art The 2014-15 year started with the history, anthropology, theology, history, ARISC Resident Directors 2 opening of the Georgia Branch in fall political science, geography, as well as 2014, and was celebrated with a joint ecology. ARISC Staff 3 lecture on Sir Oliver Wardrop, one of Because ARISC is a Member in Devel- the Western Diplomats and academics News from ARISC Members 4 oping Status with the Council of Ameri- who contributed to the recognition of the first republic of Georgia in the begin- can Overseas Research Centers Notes From Abroad 5 ning of the 20th Century and established (CAORC), scholars interested in applying one of the first Georgian Studies Centers for their Multi-Country Fellowship have Graduate Fellowships 5 at the University of Oxford. Stephen been able to work in Armenia, Azerbai- Jones, ARISC Vice President gave the jan, and Georgia, as well as other ORC Jr. Research Fellowships 12 centers around the world. In this news- inaugural talk (see p. 30). letter, you will find reports by Heather CHM Grant in Armenia 20 The highlight of our year was a sym- Badamo and Irina Levin, whose research posium on the state of higher education took them through the South Caucasus CAORC Fellowships 22 in the South Caucasus featuring speakers as well as Turkey and Lebanon, respec- from all three states as well as the US, tively, to construct a broader picture of Awards 2015-16 24 and moderators from the US and Saudi cultural exchanges over time (p. 22-23). Arabia (p. 31). The summer 2015 event In Appreciation 25 underscored ARISC’s commitment to Future newsletters will be released in nurturing scholarly ties in the region. Vid- the fall to better capture our fiscal year. ARISC Events 26 eos of the papers and discussion are avail- So this newsletter features two years of fellows’ reporting on their grant activities International Symposium 31 able on our website. to catch up on our timeline. Throughout the year, we held lec- Membership Information 32 tures, reading groups, and film studies I am forever grateful to our members groups to showcase academic research for always stepping in to help ARISC with Institutional Members 31 being done in the region and to bring planning and ideas. Thank you! Contact Us 31 together US and local scholars (p. 26-30). All our activities are made possible A new addition to the annual newslet- because of the hard work and dedication ter is a section on news items from you, of our overseas staff, Diana Lezhava, Su- our ARISC members (p.4)! We’re excited san Marukhyan, and Leyla Rustamli. Read and proud to share the great work you’re more about them on page 2 of the news- doing, not only among our members, but letter. We all owe them our gratitude for also on our social media outlets, Face- helping ARISC grow! Be sure to visit them when next you’re in the SC! 1 MEMBER NEWSLETTER ISSUE No. 6 2014-2015 ARISC REPRESENTATIVES IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS The people who make everything happen abroad Funding for these positions has been made possible by a grant from the US Department of Education Caucasus Mountains. Photo by Ketevan Jikidze SUSAN MARUKHYAN LEYLA RUSTAMLI DIANA LEZHAVA Armenia Resident Director Azerbaijan Resident Director Georgia Resident Director _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ The world of research is endless, and Working for ARISC has been very ap- ARISC is a wonderful space where every new piece of knowledge is a new pealing and at times challenging, especially people of different nationalities, back- the last two years. There is the lack of grounds, and academic spheres can in- positive emotion that leads our life. strong and intensive bonds among Ameri- teract and find a common ground. Being Work in ARISC is especially interesting, can and Azerbaijani scholarly communities a participant of its events, reading as it supports research in various fields and in the last years there appeared an all groups, film study groups, symposiums and every day adds new grains of obvious vacuum in academic connections and conferences, I can say that high knowledge and perspectives, brings in of the two countries. ARISC Reading quality, interesting topics and profes- new challenges and gives an opportunity Groups, public lectures of ARISC fellows, sionalism is what have distinguished to meet and mix with exceptional and alongside the Symposium in Tbilisi in June, ARISC from other similar organizations. 2015 have been important activities in I feel privileged for being part of ARISC knowledgeable people. building a bridge between the American and what it does. and Azerbaijani scholars. Susan Marukhyan is a public relations Diana Lezhava holds a BA degree in and public education specialist based in Leyla Rustamli received her BA in IR and Humanities (English Language and Litera- ture) from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State Yerevan, Armenia. She graduated from Ye- International Law from Azerbaijan University University, and a MA in International Affairs revan State Language University after V. of Languages and MA in Middle Eastern Stud- ies from Baku State University. In 2008-09 from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. Brusov in 1994. Later she studied in the she studied at Rothberg International School In the past she has worked at Ivane Ja- Department of International Relations and of Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel). vakhishvili Tbilisi State University as an European Studies at the Central European She is an expected PhD in IR at Philosophy administrator of the Center for Interdiscipli- University (1996-1997). Since 1994 she and Sociology Institute of ANAS. Leyla has nary Programs and Research Development, as well as that of the TSU Institute of Gen- has worked for different foreign and inter- been teaching various courses on foreign poli- cies of Middle East countries, international der Studies. Currently, Diana also works at national organizations in the spheres of the Center for Social Sciences as an Admin- management and administration, public and security problems and peace and conflict studies. She is the author of a number of istrative Director. Her research interests media relations, and communication, re- articles on security problems and politics of are: higher education, education manage- search, translation, and publishing. ment and policy, post-soviet transfor- Azerbaijan and Middle Eastern countries. mations. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 2 MEMBER NEWSLETTER ISSUE No. 6 2014-2015 ARISC STAFF INTERNS ACCOUNTANTS Ketevan Gikashvili (Georgia) Elen Grigoryan I have been working for Interning for ARISC Armenia Branch was one of the best ex- ARISC as an accountant since periences of my year. My first day was a lot of feeling my way November 2014 and this expe- around and figuring out the new environment. Thanks to my rience has been very pleasant direct supervisor, who did everything to for me. While working in this create a friendly and warm atmosphere, I position I have had the oppor- integrated very quickly and my internship tunity to meet very interesting became a pleasant experience. My supervi- people from Armenia and sor wanted me to get the most out of my Azerbaijan, as well as from the internship, so I was lucky to have a nice USA. I feel that I am part of friend and a caring teacher. ongoing and future research The internship taught me not to be afraid. and projects with professionals Staying confident shows the people around you that you're com- from various countries, many of which will have important re- fortable, which makes them comfortable in turn. Being an intern sults for Georgia and science in general. for ARISC Armenia Branch was an experience I will not forget for all the right reasons. Nina Panyan (Armenia) Sona Hakobyan In our age of permanent haste, the My internship with ARISC was a wonderful experience, activity of ARISC strives to examine which opened my eyes to situations and processes that I was and understand the essence of real unaware of. It taught me valuable skills that Armenian values of past centuries, a classroom cannot teach. The internship abundant in architectural and histori- helped me understand what my strengths cal monuments, and has great mean- and weaknesses are and work on them to ing for the future generation and succeed in future employment opportuni- should be highly praised.