Cristina Florea

Cristina Florea serves as an Assistant Professor of History at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences, with additional affiliations in the Jewish Studies Program and Society for the Humanities. Her academic work focuses on the complex historical dynamics of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly examining the interactions between German and Russian imperial powers across this contested region.

Dr. Florea's research centers on imperial legacies, nationalism, and the relationship between great power politics and local societies in Eastern Europe. She approaches her field from both global and transnational perspectives while maintaining attention to local contexts. Her current book project, Crossroads of Empire: Revolutions and Encounters at the Frontiers of Europe, examines the borderland region of Bukovina across multiple imperial transitions. She is also working on an intellectual biography of Joseph Roth, the Galician-born German-Jewish author.

Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on Eastern European history, empire studies, and contemporary geopolitical issues. Recent works include articles in Past and Present and New German Critique, along with influential public commentary in Foreign Affairs, TIME, and CNN Opinion analyzing the historical dimensions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Her writing frequently explores how imperial competition shaped Eastern European politics and societies, and how these historical legacies continue to influence contemporary geopolitics.

Dr. Florea teaches courses on East European and Soviet history, World War II and interwar Europe, including upcoming classes 'Empires and Vampires: History of Eastern Europe' (Spring 2025) and 'Europe in Flames: World War II and its Aftermath' (Fall 2025). Her teaching reflects her scholarly interests in borderlands, empires, and the complex interplay between global processes and local experiences in Eastern Europe.