Dr. Faith Hillis

Biography

Faith Hillis is a historian specializing in modern Russia and Europe, with a particular interest in the political, cultural, and intellectual history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Her research examines how Russia's unique political institutions and its status as a multiethnic empire shaped public opinion and political cultures. Hillis interrogates Russia's relationship with the world, framing the Russian experience within the broader context of European and global history. Currently, she is working on a book that presents the 'biography' of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, focusing on the lives of the authors behind this notorious forgery. Her latest publication, 'Utopia’s Discontents: Russian Exiles Quest for Freedom, 1830–1930,' published by Oxford University Press in 2021, explores the political and cultural dynamics within Russian colonies in Europe, particularly highlighting the influence of Russian exiles. The book won the 2022 Wayne S. Vucinich Book Prize from the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies. Hillis has also published extensively on various aspects of Russian history and is interested in utilizing digital tools and geo-spatial analysis in her research. She has held fellowships at prestigious institutions, including Columbia and Harvard, and has received various grants to support her work.

Research Interests

Experience