Blue tiled pattern taken from the REES logo, against a dark blue background

Russian and East European Studies

About us

Russian and East European Studies (REES) is an area unit of the Oxford School of Global Area Studies. 

Our academics, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and academic visitors explore the region bounded by Russia, the republics of the former Soviet Union in Eurasia, and the Eastern European countries formerly part of the twentieth-century socialist bloc. Drawing on insights and methods from across the social sciences and humanities, and discourse analysis skills focused on the region, we investigate the histories, societies, politics, economies, and international relations of this key region, with its increasing impact on the global community.

Our courses are for graduates who are interested in gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of Russia and Eastern Europe through study across a range of disciplines including history, politics, economics, international relations, society and culture. The REES courses include a 21-month MPhil in Russian and East European Studies; and a 9-month MSc in Russian and East European Studies. A DPhil (doctorate) in Area Studies is available for exceptional students. An Oxford 1 + 1 MBA combines the MSc in Russian and East European Studies with the MBA programme offered by the Said Business School. We also welcome inquiries from prospective Academic Visitors (post-doctoral level) and Recognised Students (doctoral candidates) who would like to join our community temporarily as visiting scholars.

Courses

Young women dressed in traditional Georgian folk costumes

MPhil in Russian and East European Studies

View of cape of russian Church Intercession Holy Virgin, Russia, Saratov at night

MSc in Russian and East European Studies

Students in Oxford talking along the street chatting.

DPhil in Area Studies

People

Find out more about the staff, students and associates within Russian and East European Studies

Three students standing outside chatting with a tutor. Photo credit: John Cairns Photography

Photo credit: John Cairns Photography
 

Events

News

leila alieva has shoulder length wavey blonde hair and is wearing a blue patterned top. She's standing in front of a brick wall and shrubs.

Dr Leila Alieva attends Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn

'resilient bonds on social cohesion in Georgia' book cover

New Study Explores the State of Social Cohesion in Modern Georgia

A newly published academic volume, Resilient Bonds: On Social Cohesion in Georgia, offers the first comprehensive analysis of how unity and social ties are evolving in the country amid ongoing political and cultural change.
rees logo

The Scramble for Europe by Dr Dimitar Bechev

Research

Oxford Ukraine Hub

Tax, Society, and People: Using Anthropology in Tax Education

Visiting Professorship - Dr Agnieszka Koscianska