James Felak

James Felak is a Professor and Newman Center Professor in Catholic Christianity at the University of Washington's Department of History, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University (1989) and specializes in the history of East Central Europe, particularly Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, with a focus on religion's intersection with politics and nationalism during the 20th century.

• Education:
• Ph.D., Indiana University, 1989

His research explores themes such as the Slovak People's Party in interwar Slovakia, post-WWII Catholic-Communist dynamics in Slovakia, and Pope John Paul II's influence on Poland. His current book project examines the Pope’s visits to Poland between 1979–1991, analyzing his role in addressing historical ethnic tensions and challenging Poland’s Communist regime.

Teaching includes courses on East Central European history (pre-1918 and post-1918), Modern European history (since 1648), and the History of Christianity. He also offers specialized seminars on topics like the Holocaust and East Central Europe under Nazi-Soviet occupation.