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The Charger Blog
University of New Haven Students Present Research During Conference at Yale
University of New Haven students explored topics ranging from wartime trauma to disinformation campaigns while building academic and professional connections in the field of Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies.
May 2, 2025
Three students from the University of New Haven presented research papers at the 4th Annual Student Conference of the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Northeast Network (REEESNe) earlier this semester at Yale University. The two-day conference brought together approximately 80 undergraduate and graduate students from universities and colleges in the northeast, including eight students in exile from Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
The University of New Haven is an active member of this consortium and hosted a REEESNe faculty workshop in Spring 2024. Students were joined by faculty moderators Daria A. Kirjanov Ph.D. (member of conference organizing committee), Bradley Woodworth Ph.D., and Olena Lennon Ph.D.
Nicolas Catrambone ’26, a psychology major with a minor in Russian, presented a paper entitled “Processing Trauma and Magical Thinking Displayed in World War 2 Memoirs.” Derek Roldan ’25, a International Affairs major with a minor in Russian, presented a paper entitled “American Political Apathy: The Effectiveness of Russian and Chinese Disinformation in the United States.” And Owen Jeffrey Butler ’27, a National Security major and Russian minor, delivered his research in a paper entitled “Russian Use of Disposable Infantry in the Invasion of Ukraine.”
Students were joined by University of New Haven alumna Aemin Becker ’18 who talked about her career path from National Security major and studying Russian to her current position as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, the largest provider of AI to the federal government, in Washington, D.C.
“The conference was an opportunity to discuss my research, to explore different perspectives, and to make new professional connections,” commented Catrambone.
The University of New Haven presenters received well-deserved praise. It was a fantastic conference, with students offering questions and constructive comments in and out of panels and sharing valuable internship and career experiences in the field of REEES studies.
“It was an incredible experience,” said Butler. “Hearing from Russian and Ukrainian exiles, as well as attending the highly fascinating research presentations from other students in the field, was super interesting, and I hope I can return next year.”
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