About the Center for East European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (CEERES)
Founded in 1965, the Center for East European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies coordinates teaching and research on the CEERES region at the University of Chicago. We have over fifty faculty affiliates who research topics ranging from indigenous languages in the Russian Arctic to national identity in the Balkans, from the medieval period to the present. We organize dozens of events each year that educate our campus and the broader community about this vital region. CEERES also supports conferences, classes, and research grants that benefit students and prepare them for careers as scholars, diplomats, journalists, and businesspeople.
Academic Programs
The Center does not itself offer a separate master's degree; however, the Center strongly supports the development of students by offering joint programs with other departments in the University. An interdisciplinary B.A. program is offered in Russian and Eastern European Studies and interdisciplinary M.A. degrees are available through the Master of Arts Program in the Humanities (MAPH) and the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS) with concentrations in CEERES languages and area studies. In addition, the Center cooperates with the Committee on International Relations in providing a master's program in international relations with specialization in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Václav Havel Lecture
The Václav Havel Lecture is a multi-part series exploring the legacy of Václav Havel as a statesman, dissident, playwright, and intellectual. It is made possible by a generous gift from Gabriel Eichler (A.M., ’74) and Tatiana Eichler.
In 2024, we welcomed Czech President Petr Pavel to campus for a talk exploring the opportunities and challenges of the transatlantic bond. In 2025, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the President-Elect of Belarus, spoke on the struggle against tyranny in Belarus and what it can teach others working to strengthen democracy around the world. In both cases, students and other members of the campus community enjoyed the opportunity to engage with and learn from these high-profile visitors.