History
The Polish Studies Initiative (PSI) was established in 2012 under the umbrella of the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies with sponsorship from partners across The Ohio State University (OSU), including the College of Social Work, CONSIRT, the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and the Office of International Affairs. The mission of PSI is to advance the interdisciplinary study of Poland, support student and faculty research and study abroad, and to organize events focused on Poland.
The Polish Studies Initiative has two main areas of activity, supporting academic events and funding language studies and research. In terms of academic events, during the academic year, PSI organizes one to two events, such as guest lectures, film screenings, or other cultural events. Additionally, at the annual Midwest Slavic Conference, numerous presentations related to Poland are given. Through an annual scholarship and grant competition, PSI funds undergraduate and graduate students to study the Polish language during the summer or hold internships in Poland, and supports post-doctoral students and faculty with research grants.
Events
For more information on upcoming PSI events, please visit the CSEEES Events Calendar.
Advisory Council and Staff
Polish Studies Initiative Staff
- Dr. Angela Brintlinger, CSEEES Director, Chair of the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures and former PSI grant recipient
- Joanna Kukielka-Blaser, Director of Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright-Hays Programs, Office of International Affairs
- Alicia Baca, Polish Studies Initiative Program Coordinator and CSEEES Outreach Coordinator
Polish Studies Initiative Committee Members
- Dr. Amanda Agnew: Associate Professor, Anthropology & College of Medicine, leads a summer education abroad program in Poland
- Dr. Yana Hashamova: Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures and former CSEEES director, instituted Polish Studies Initiative
- Dr. Julia Keblinska: Postdoctoral Scholar for the East Asian Studies Center (EASC); PSI affiliate and former recipient of a PSI grant
- Emma Pratt: CSEEES Assistant Director
- Dr. Diana Sacilowski: Senior Lecturer, Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures Polish Language instructor
For more information about the Polish Studies Initiative, please email PSI program coordinator, Alicia Baca (baca.31@osu.edu).
Study Abroad Programs
Domestic Language Programs
- Arizona State - Critical Languages Institute
- University of Pittsburgh - Summer Language Institute (Intensive Language Program with international component available)
International Programs
- CIEE Central European Studies - Study abroad in Warsaw
- School of Russian and Asian Studies - Security and Society
- Jagiellonian University - School of Polish Language and Culture
Donate to PSI
Since its founding year, PSI has supported over 50 grant and scholarship recipients from across 50+ departments and units at Ohio State. As a donation-based initiative, PSI relies on the generosity of our colleagues, friends, and community members to keep supporting our Polish Studies students and scholars. If you would like to contribute to PSI, you can make a donation by clicking the button below. Donated funds will help our annual grant and scholarship competitions that will finance domestic and international study abroad, facilitate internships, and research travel for Ohio State students, faculty, and postdocs!