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— CH. 1 · FOUNDATIONS AND EVOLUTION —

Slavic Review

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections
  • The journal began its life in 1941 under the name Slavonic Year-Book. American Series. This publication emerged during a time when academic interest in Eastern Europe was growing within American universities. The title changed again in 1943 to become Slavonic and East European Review. American Series. By 1945, it adopted the name American Slavic and East European Review. These early iterations laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the modern Slavic Review. In 1961, the current name officially took hold. The American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies has published the journal quarterly since that year. That same association later renamed itself the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies in 2010.

  • Diane P. Koenker served as editor-in-chief from 1996 until 2006. She held her position while affiliated with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mark D. Steinberg followed her role starting in 2006 and continued through 2013. He also worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Harriet Murav took over the editorship in August 2013 and remained in that post until August 2023. Eugene M. Avrutin currently serves as editor. He is faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Each editor brought their own institutional background to the journal during their tenure.

  • The journal was originally self-published by its parent association. This arrangement lasted for decades before a major shift occurred. Cambridge University Press became the official publisher in 2017. This transition marked a significant change in how the journal reached its audience. The partnership with Cambridge University Press expanded distribution capabilities beyond what the association could manage alone. It allowed for broader access to academic libraries and individual subscribers worldwide. The move represented a strategic evolution in scholarly publishing practices within the field.

  • The subtitle Interdisciplinary Quarterly of Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies has been used since 2006. Earlier versions reflected different terminologies about the region. Boundaries shifted over time as geopolitical realities changed. Conceptions of the field evolved alongside these changes. The original title Slavic Review does not fully encompass all disciplines or cultures examined today. The journal covers Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Past and present eras both receive attention from contributors. These shifts demonstrate how academic definitions adapt to historical developments.

  • All back issues are available electronically through JSTOR. Members can access electronic versions of current and recent issues on the Association website. The Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies maintains this digital presence. Scholars rely on these platforms to retrieve older articles and new research. The availability of back issues ensures continuity across decades of scholarship. Electronic formats allow researchers to search content efficiently without physical constraints. This accessibility supports global engagement with the material regardless of location.

  • Scholars discover the journal through several major bibliographic databases. The American Bibliography of Slavic and East European Studies abstracts its content. Social Sciences Citation Index includes it in their collection. Historical Abstracts also indexes the publication regularly. Arts and Humanities Citation Index provides another avenue for discovery. The Linguistic Bibliography rounds out the list of indexing services. These databases ensure that articles reach diverse academic communities. Researchers use them to locate relevant studies across multiple disciplines.

Common questions

When did the journal now known as Slavic Review first begin publication?

The journal began its life in 1941 under the name Slavonic Year-Book. American Series.

Who served as editor-in-chief of Slavic Review from 2013 to 2023?

Harriet Murav took over the editorship in August 2013 and remained in that post until August 2023.

Which organization currently publishes the journal Slavic Review?

Cambridge University Press became the official publisher of Slavic Review in 2017 after decades of self-publication by the parent association.

What is the current subtitle used for Slavic Review since 2006?

The subtitle Interdisciplinary Quarterly of Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies has been used since 2006.

Where can scholars access all back issues of Slavic Review electronically?

All back issues are available electronically through JSTOR while members can access electronic versions of current and recent issues on the Association website.