On the afternoon of October 14, 2024, the Institute for International and Area Studies (IIAS) at Tsinghua University hosted an online lecture titled "Relational Area Studies: Russia and the Geographies of Knowledge". The speaker was Dr. Ammon Cheskin, Senior Lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow. The event drew participation from IIAS doctoral students as well as students and faculty from Nankai University, Northwestern University, and Jilin University.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Cheskin introduced the concepts of reflexivity and area studies, stressing the importance for researchers to remain conscious of their own biases, perspectives, and the underlying assumptions and power dynamics inherent in knowledge production. He emphasized that the object of study is inseparable from the researcher’s internal context. Area studies, he argued, should not only focus on the external dynamics of a region but also critically reflect on the internal processes shaping the production of knowledge. Through personal anecdotes, he underscored the critical role of reflexivity in area studies.
Dr. Cheskin then discussed the distinction between area studies and Russian studies, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of area studies. He highlighted its ability to approach complex issues from multiple perspectives, thus avoiding overly narrow viewpoints. He also examined the differences between Western and Russian scholars, analyzing their respective academic frameworks, contexts, and norms by comparing articles from various journals. This comparative analysis illuminated the contrasting approaches to knowledge production and understanding, thereby advocating for a more comprehensive and integrative approach to research.
In the final part of his lecture, Dr. Cheskin addressed the global flows and constraints of knowledge production, particularly in academic publishing. He called for a balanced representation of academic voices from different regions, warning against the dominance of singular perspectives. He urged scholars to critically engage with the objectivity of knowledge, acknowledge existing power asymmetries, and embrace the complexity of knowledge production to foster a more equitable and inclusive scholarly discourse.
During the discussion session, Dr. Cheskin responded to questions from panelist Dr. Jing Shi on the “specific meaning of global scholarship” and the “relationship between area studies and domestic scholarship.” He also engaged with moderator Dr. Catherine Owen on how to integrate area studies methodologies into teaching practices.
Dr. Ammon Cheskin is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow’s School of Social and Political Sciences. His research spans a broad range of interdisciplinary topics. His early work focused on the identities of Russian speakers outside of Russia, culminating in the publication of his monograph Russian-Speakers in Post-Soviet Latvia: Discursive Identity Strategies (Edinburgh University Press, 2016). Over time, his research interests have expanded to include soft power, relational area studies, and the role of emotions in Russian foreign policy, demonstrating his wide-ranging contributions to the field of area studies.
