In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and as part of the reckoning with its horrific violence, new connections of solidarity and knowledge exchange have emerged. RUTA’s annual conference aims to build on this historical moment and to uphold the emerging debates, inquiries, and collaborations.
With an aim to develop these rich debates across disciplines, RUTA recognises that it is inadequate to use a single unifying label (whether ‘post-Soviet’, ‘post-communist’, ‘post-socialist’, ‘Eurasia’, ‘New East’, ‘Global East’ among others) when addressing this sociohistorically and demographically diverse and dynamic space. Thus, we refer to the ever-changing area shaped by imperial, colonial, and national violences as well as solidarity, transnational ties, and cultural exchanges as the region(s).
The founding of RUTA and its inaugural conference aims to transform the region(s) from an object of study to an active and visible epistemic agent. This year’s conference is entitled Re(kn)own: Region(s) from Within. The event strives to reclaim the process of knowledge-making in and about the region(s) and place the region(s) at the centre of epistemic debates. By basing the Association and its annual conference in Ukraine, RUTA examines how the practice of knowledge-making is inherently rooted in our region(s), bodies, material, and lived realities. We welcome presentations that engage the region(s) in its cultural and geographical diversity. We are especially interested in transnational and comparative approaches that situate the region(s) in global conversations.
The submission deadline was 15 March 2024.
The conference will take place in the Carpathian mountains in a location with on-site air raid shelters. All state and local guidelines regarding safety and security will be strictly adhered to throughout the conference. For safety and security reasons, the venue and logistics pertaining to the conference will be disclosed to registered participants close to the conference date.
Conference registration fee: 20 euros
There will be a limited number of travel grants that participants in need of financial assistance and without institutional funding can apply for.
Ukrainian citizens currently residing in Ukraine will be exempt from conference fees in 2024.
Please send any enquiries to: conferenceruta-associationorg