The Lab 'Russia’s Regions in Historical Perspective' aims to provide a comprehensive look at the social and political development of regions within Russia from the 18^th to late 20^th century. The research team examines a range of issues, including the existing geographic positioning, the rise and transformation of imperial/Soviet/Post-Soviet historical and geographical entities, cross-border developments and exchanges, land cultivation, social engineering, regional administrative practices and the creation and growth of human capital. Also covered is the rise of regional identities, mental maps, local presentation models and the fashioning of polycentrism. An important objective is found in the development of an analytical language to describe the regional situation in Russia from 18^th to late 20^th century – a language which can help solve crucial methodological issues in the discipline of historical regional studies in Russia.

The project is supported by The Mikhail Prokhorov Foundation.