Empires and Revolutions: Iranian-Russian Encounters since 1800

Iran Heritage Foundation, London Middle East Institute (SOAS) and Soudavar Memorial Foundation

Dr. Stephanie Cronin

This conference will explore the myriad encounters which have taken place between Iranians and Russians since the early nineteenth century up to the present. It will include some discussion of diplomacy and foreign policy but a central objective of the conference will be to widen the scholarly perspective to incorporate an understanding of other types of encounter, whether political, economic, social, cultural, or intellectual, and both friendly and hostile, especially as these developed beyond the official and elite levels. In particular it will attempt to understand the complexities of the impact on Iran of the Russian presence on its northern borders: the very expansion of Tsarist empire during the nineteenth century threatening Iran's independence yet bringing ideas of social-democracy to its doorstep, the Soviet Union in the twentieth century similarly contradictory in its effect, sustaining a version of radical Iranian politics while advancing its own strategic interests. The conference will conclude with some consideration of the current state and likely future trajectory of Iranian-Russian relationships.

Click on 'programme' in the left column of this page for the conference programme

Click on 'Abstracts' in the left column of this page for abstracts of the papers that will be presented at the conference plus short biographies of the speakers

Click on 'Biographies' in the left column of this page for biography of the speakers.

Pre-Registration strongly recommended

£25 (£20 concessions) for both days
£15 (£12 concessions) for one day
Registration on the day £30 (£25 concessions), or £20 (£15 concessions) per day
Morning and afternoon tea/coffee and lunch included.

For registration contact:
Vincenzo Paci, Vp6@soas.ac.uk, The London Middle East Institute, Room M110, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H OXG, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 (20) 7898 4490