March 22, 2022

Professor of Russian Recognized for Teaching Excellence

Assistant Professor of Russian Maria Hristova has received the Arnold L. and Lois S. Graves Award. The grant will allow her to pursue research and develop courses on post-Soviet environmental studies.

Maria Hristova, assistant professor of Russian Maria Hristova, assistant professor of Russian

Maria Hristova, assistant professor of Russian, is the latest recipient of the Arnold L. and Lois S. Graves Award. This prestigious award, administered by Pomona College and the American Council of Learned Societies, recognizes junior faculty who demonstrate teaching excellence in the humanities. The two-year award also includes an $11,000 grant to support new research opportunities.

Hristova will use the grant for her proposed project, “The Environmental Turn in Soviet and Post-Soviet Cultures.” Her research indicates that, during the 1960s and 1970s, environmental themes were crucial to Soviet authors because they provided a safe means of raising objections to the state’s industrial goals.

Hristova’s plan also includes a multifaceted approach to expand post-Soviet environmental studies, both at Lewis & Clark and in the wider Slavic studies community. “My new research trajectory focuses on environmental art and criticism,” said Hristova. “This award will help me expand and diversify the Russian Section curriculum. I think these new courses will attract students interested in environmental issues who might not otherwise consider taking a course in the Russian program.”

Originally, Hristova planned to use funds from the Graves Award to engage in research at the Russian State Library in Moscow. However, given the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, she will now use the funds to access key periodicals at the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress.

Hristova’s award continues a string of Graves Award successes by the Lewis & Clark faculty. Previous recipients over the last 20 years include Magalí Rabasa (2020), Bryan Sebok (2018), Kristin Fujie (2014), Rachel Cole (2012), Joel Martinez (2010), Karen Gross (2008), and David Campion (2006).

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