Kruzhok was founded by graduate students in 2006 on the model of the academic circles (kruzhki) that flourished in Russian universities during the 1830s and ‘40s. The working group, which seeks to explore Slavic literary and linguistic culture, has two primary purposes: to facilitate the sharing of individual research among members, and to encourage collaboration with intellectual traditions and disciplines tangential to Slavic studies. Kruzhok is a venue in which graduate students come together to present their ongoing research in a positive and encouraging environment. Each year we organize meetings before the major Slavic conferences in order for students to receive preliminary feedback on papers to be presented. We also sponsor talks from visiting scholars and emeriti professors and support Slavic cultural events within the Berkeley community. Kruzhok, which is entirely student run, also provides graduate students with the invaluable experience of coordinating events, finding speakers, and advertising talks. Membership is open to all who have an interest in promoting and engaging in research in Slavic cultures.
