Why does war play such a central role in Russia’s self-image? How does this impact its view of the world and how has Putin used this history to justify his invasion of Ukraine? How a country defines its past can profoundly shape how it sees its present. This is not merely a facet of propaganda but a deadly serious matter as we now see unfolding before us.

Join Tufts University, Office of Alumni Engagement for a virtual conversation with Gregory Carleton, Professor of Russian Studies and former Chair of the Department of International Literary and Cultural Studies at Tufts. Register here to attend the event on Zoom.

Gregory Carleton received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and his B.A. from the University of Virginia and has taught at Tufts for over 25 years. His specialties include Russian culture, literature, and history. He teaches on a wide range of topics, including courses for the Program in International Relations. His current research focuses on how Russia looks to its past and uses that history to help shape national identity and situate itself in the world. He is the author of three books on Russia, the latest being Russia: The Story of War (Harvard, 2017).