George Mason University professor Mark Katz traveled to Moscow in March to give a series of lectures at the Higher School of Economics. His trip highlights the benefits of a recently-signed short-term faculty exchange agreement between Mason and the Higher School.
Katz, a professor of government and politics at Mason, is a well-known writer on Russian foreign policy, international relations of the Middle East, and transnational revolutionary movements.
While in Moscow, Katz interacted with students at the Higher School as well as Moscow State University and the Moscow State Institute of International relations.
“I exchanged views with senior scholars at the Oriental Institute and the Africa Institute, meeting various Russian scholars and analysts,” said Katz, who also spoke with diplomats from the U.S., Swedish, and Irish embassies.
Katz also did television interviews and published an opinion piece in The Moscow Times.
“If I did make an impact, I think it was through talking with Russian students, several of whom have been in e-mail contact with me since,” said Katz. “I hope that I successfully encouraged them to seek to come to Mason for a shorter or longer period. Indeed, several indicated that they would very much like to do so.”
April 01, 2010