Our Graduate Students

Our graduate students come from a variety of backgrounds and countries.

Sara Jo Powell
Medical Assistant, Capitol Vision
PhD, November 2021
Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyjopowell/ Sara's research focuses on Ukrainian and Russian literature, in particular the work of Nikolai Gogol and that of Taras Shevchenko . She is especially interested in the roles of women, stereotypes of...
a photo of Sara

Maxim Pozdorovkin
Filmmaker/Junior Fellow, Society of Fellows, Harvard University
PhD, 2012
Co-director of documentary Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
a photo of maxim

Elizabeth Ransome
PhD, May 2016
Dissertation Title: “ Il Paradosso dello Spirito Russo: Piero Gobetti and the Genius of Liberal Revolution” Education: MA Harvard University, 1992 (Slavic Languages and Literatures) Maîtrise, langue et littérature russes, Université de Paris IV- Sorbonne...
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Natasha Reed

Preceptor in Slavic Languages Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University (Retired)
PhD, November 1994
The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures is saddened to report the passing of Dr. Natasha Reed. She earned her Ph.D. in Slavic Languages & Literatures from Harvard University in 1994, held Assistant Professorships at College of the Holy Cross...

Rebecca Reich

University Associate Professor of Russian Literature and Culture/Director of Slavonic Studies Section, University of Cambridge, Jesus College
PhD, November 2010
Contact: rr423@cam.ac.uk
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Kylie Richardson

University Lecturer in Slavonic Studies, Faculty of Modern & Medieval Languages and Linguistics, University of Cambridge, Trinity Hall
PhD, June 2003
Contact: krr22@cam.ac.uk
a photo of Kylie

Matthew Schantz
English Teaching Fellow, Boston University Academy
PhD, November 2023
Matthew Schantz’s research focuses on the practice and imaginary of science in the early Soviet Union. In his dissertation, he traces fantastika’s decline in the late 1920s to its partial rehabilitation following Stalin’s death. Paying particular...
A photo of Matthew Schantz,

Nataliya Shpylova-Saeed
Preceptor in Slavic Languages and Literatures
(Ukrainian language program)
Nataliya Shpylova-Saeed is interested in memory studies, particularly in contested memory focusing on Ukraine and Russia. Contested memory offers insights into identity construction and negotiation, ways to explore options for conflict resolution, venues...
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Giovanna Siedina

Associate Professor of Russian Language and Literature, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Intercultural Studies, University of Florence
PhD, November 2014
Contact: giovanna.siedina@unifi.it
a photo of Giovanna

Geordie Kenyon Sinclair
AM, May 2019
Geordie's research interests are in the theory and practice of translation; 20th-century Russian and Soviet poetry, prose, and culture; poetic persona and voice; and gender in language and literature. His current projects include work on the “gulag...
Kenyon SInclair

Penelope M. Skalnik
Department Administrator
As Department Administrator, Penny serves as the administrative, programmatic, faculty, human resources, and financial director of the Slavic Department. She is the undergraduate and graduate program administrator, the senior administrative contact for...
Penelope Skalnik headshot
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Director of Graduate Studies

Daria Khitrova
dkhitrova@fas.harvard.edu

Barker Center 369
12 Quincy Street 
Cambridge, MA 02138