June Alumni Lecture KCL History

"In Search of Russia"

With speakers Dr Nick Evans, Professor Stephen Lovell and Dr Alexandra Vukovich

Western commentary on Russia tends to veer between two poles: on the one hand, Russia is seen as mysterious and unknowable; on the other hand, it is treated in reductive fashion as embodying some abstract principle, whether Eastern Christianity, collectivism or despotism. In the wake of the devastating invasion of Ukraine it has been tempting to attribute to Russia a predisposition to authoritarianism and a culture inherently at odds with that of Western liberalism.

In fact, like most countries and cultures, Russia is neither uniquely mysterious nor remotely simple. In this event, three historians of Russia from the department - two medievalists and one modernist - will share their experiences of researching and visiting Russia over the past two or three decades and attempt to put current events in dialogue with history.

After the lecture there will be a drinks reception in the open space on the eighth floor of the Strand Building.

All history alumni are invited.