Brian Porter-Szücs

Brian Porter-Szücs is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of History at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the Department of History within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. His academic roles include Director of Undergraduate Studies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin (1994). His research focuses on Modern Poland, the Economics of Socialism and Capitalism, Roman Catholicism, East European history, and 19th- and 20th-century European history. He has authored influential books such as Poland in the Modern World: Beyond Martyrdom (2014) and When Nationalism Began to Hate (2000). His work critically examines Polish national identity, the intersection of religion and politics, and socialist economic systems.

Porter-Szücs is affiliated with multiple institutes, including the Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies and the Copernicus Center for Polish Studies. His recent research explores themes like the collapse of state socialism in Poland, the role of Catholicism in shaping national identity, and contemporary Polish political culture. His articles span topics such as economic reform in the Polish People’s Republic, the Solidarity movement, and Polish intersectionality.

He has received the Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship, recognizing excellence in teaching and research. His multimedia engagements include radio interviews on Polish politics and lectures on topics like 'Why Did Socialism Fail?' His teaching covers courses on Polish history, European economic history, and Catholicism in the modern world.

Research interests emphasize historical methodology, nationalism studies, and the application of global perspectives to Eastern European history. His work bridges historiography and contemporary issues, offering critical insights into Poland’s socio-political dynamics and its place within broader European contexts.