“I’ve said it many times. Russians and Ukrainians are one people. All of Ukraine is ours.” - Vladimir Putin

This is historical hogwash. Nevertheless, Putin’s statement chillingly demonstrates how ideology shapes perceptions and state decision-making. When Putin invaded Ukraine, he envisioned a joyous reunion of estranged brothers; instead, Russian forces encountered fierce Ukrainian resistance. Centuries of Russian imperial and then Soviet propaganda informed Putin’s warped views on Ukraine. Studying Russian history alone, however, cannot tell the full story of the Russo-Ukrainian War and its origins; we need Ukraine. My research examines the intellectual and political thought of the diverse people of Ukraine at a hinge moment in their history—the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of independent Ukraine.

I became interested in Ukraine while teaching English in Vladimir, Russia. During the trip, Russians regularly gave me their unprompted opinions about Ukraine, Ukrainians, and what they regarded as Russia’s rightful place in world affairs. Their casual imperialist bravado inspired my first foray into Ukraine’s rich history. During my PhD program at the Ohio State University, I took Ukrainian language classes, participated in the Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute, and conducted dissertation research in Kyiv.

I have had a love of adventure and learning since my youth. While growing up in rural New Jersey, I read voraciously about the history of other peoples in order to break out of my small town bubble. My high school history teacher, Mr. Messina, nurtured my curiosity about world cultures through his passionate and fun lectures. His accessible and insightful teaching style has shaped my own pedagogical approaches in the classroom.

Aside from work, I enjoy travelling with my wife and trying new food. During the holidays, we visit family and friends in Massachusetts and New Jersey. I am a proud Texan now, but the home of Sinatra and Springsteen will always be in my heart.