We will approach this period of great change with a diverse group of participants constituting historians, religious studies scholars, ethnographers, librarians, archivists, and sociologists to shed light on the wide range of experiences and responses of Muslim communities.
This time of transition preceding and following the collapse of the Soviet Union presents scholars in the humanities and related disciplines with significant challenges with documentary sources. Firstly, although Muslims have been an integral part of the region's history, the ethnic and linguistic diversity of these Muslim communities has yet to be fully explored. By centering Muslims’ stories and examining their engagement with other individuals and communities, as well as with local, national, and international socio-political developments, this project constitutes a critical step in examining their diverse and intersecting identities. Secondly, the fall of the Soviet Union launched memory institutions into a state of chaos, rendering the historical record scattered, inaccessible, and dominated by a limited number of officially sanctioned voices and organizations. The contentious nature of Muslim identities and activism in the late Soviet and post-Soviet period has further exacerbated this sparsity. This project recognizes the need for a collective approach to reconsider previously studied sources, and to make more space to examine lesser-known collections, oral histories, and records of organizations. An interdisciplinary scholarly analysis of sources and collections will provide this diverse group of scholars a common ground to examine Muslim lives from a variety of perspectives, threading together discourses in arts and humanities and social sciences.
You can apply until April 30, 2025, by sending the following materials to the cluster organizers (muslimlivesresearchcluster@gmail.com):
Resume
Writing sample [published article, research papers, or dissertation chapter]
An abstract of 250 words
A 1-2-page bibliography of sources and/or collections you plan to use
A short bio (max. 150 words).
In order to foster collaboration, we are accepting abstracts in English and Russian. We welcome submissions from authors based in any country. Accepted proposals must be developed into an advanced draft (unpublished or not currently under review) by Spring 2026.
All disciplines are welcome. Graduate students, emerging scholars, and scholars based in the region are especially encouraged to apply. We also welcome applications from scholars studying the connections between Eurasian Muslims and other world regions. The cluster organizers are committed to creating a supportive environment for all contributors.