Stephen Brain

Stephen Brain is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Mississippi State University. His research focuses on Soviet/Russian History, Environmental History, and Forest History, with a specialization in the intersection of state policies and ecological systems. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California-Berkeley (2007) and has taught courses including World Environmental History and the History of the Soviet Union.

Education:

• Ph.D. in History, UC Berkeley (2007), advised by Yuri Slezkine
• M.A. in Humanities, California State University (2000)
• B.S. in Wildlife Ecology, Southern Federal University (1994)

Research emphasizes the Soviet Union's environmental policies, particularly under Stalin. His work analyzes forest management, the Great Stalin Plan for Nature Transformation, and the destruction of protected areas. Recent projects include studies on Pomor Christian environmental ethics and Russian ecological historiography.

Professional recognition includes a Fulbright Grant (2013-14), National Science Foundation funding (2010), and multiple fellowships. His book Song of the Forest (2011) is a seminal work on Soviet forestry policies.

Grants include extended archival research in Moscow (2001-2006) and collaborations with Russian institutions. He serves as Co-Editor of Environmental History and holds affiliations with the American Society of Environmental Historians and the American Historical Association.