Wilson Bell

Wilson Bell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, History, and Politics at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), serving since 2019. His academic journey includes a PhD from the University of Toronto (2011), an MA (2001), and a First-Class Honours BA from Dalhousie University (2000). His research focuses on Soviet Gulag camps, particularly forced labor during WWII, prisoner dynamics, and Siberian regional history. Bell’s work has been supported by SSHRC grants for projects like the '44 Lenin Avenue' study, examining Siberia’s 20th-century history through a historic building’s lens.

• Education: PhD (University of Toronto, 2011), MA (2001), BA (Dalhousie, 2000)
• Awards: SSHRC Insight Grants (2019-2022, 2015-2017)
• Courses: European history, The Concentration Camp, WWII in Europe, Communism and the Environment

His research emphasizes understanding human behavior in repressive systems and fostering historical empathy. Key publications include Stalin's Gulag at War (2019) and studies on Gulag sexuality and labor mobilization.

Professional affiliations include the Association for Slavic, East European & Eurasian Studies and the Canadian Association of Slavists.