The conference will highlight the achievements of Baltic studies a century after the three nations gained their independence and 27 years after the fall of the Soviet Union. Questions to be considered include: Why are Baltic studies important today? How does the region fit into larger global and transnational trends, including the growth of populism and increasing instability catalysed by the region's eastern neighbour? What is the intersection between Baltic and East European studies?
The conference will also showcase the cutting-edge Baltic research as well as highlight and discuss the roles of memory institutions and the digital humanities in Baltic studies.
Former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Kaunas-born Lithuanian-American political scientist and author Agnia Grigas, Estonian professor Lauri Mälksoo and American historian Norman Naimark have been confirmed as keynote speakers.
With more than 200 scholars and graduate students participating, the AABS conferences are the largest international Baltic conferences in the world. They take place every two years and have previously been hosted by prestigious academic institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania (2016), Yale University (2014) and the University of Illinois-Chicago (2012).
The conference welcomes paper, poster, panel, roundtable and workshop proposals from established and emerging scholars, including graduate students.