Opportunities: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is looking for a professor of Ukrainian culture

In a potential sign of changing dynamics in academia, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has posted a call for applications for a new position in Soviet and Post-Soviet Cultural Studies with an emphasis on Ukraine.

The position is tenure-track. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Slavic or Comparative Literature or a related field at the time of appointment to be considered. Further details are available via the job listing on the university’s website.

Scholars focused on Ukraine have long criticized the lack of teaching and research positions specifically centered on Ukraine and other Slavic countries. They argue that many “Slavic Studies” departments are disproportionately centered on Russia.

In June, Vox Ukraine published a report analyzing undergraduate courses at 13 private and public U.S. universities, concentrating on Eastern European, Russian, and Eurasian studies. The authors discovered that 54% of the classes categorized as “Slavic” were, in fact, focused on Russia. Russian predominance was most pronounced in literature classes (82%), language (54%), and politics (49%).

Dr. John Vsetecka, a history professor at Michigan State University and the founder of the H-Ukraine network, which “promotes scholarly and intellectual discussion of Ukrainian studies and history,” praised the decision by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to create a position specifically focused on Ukrainian culture.

Finally, a job focused on Ukrainian cultural studies. Those who study and teach Ukrainian language, please apply. Share widely among your networks. https://t.co/D8wtmfCr42

— John Vsetecka (@JohnVsetecka) August 11, 2023

You may also find interesting the position of professor of Ukrainian literature and culture at the Harvard University (deadline: September 15, 2023).

Read also: Global interest in Ukrainian studies has grown significantly – research

Photo:  Facebook page of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign