Vitaly Chernetsky

Dr. Vitaly Chernetsky is a Professor in the Slavic Department at the University of Kansas, specializing in Ukrainian and Russian literature/film, postcolonialism, gender studies, and cultural globalization. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Pennsylvania (1996). His research explores modern/postmodern cultures of Ukraine, Russia, and Eastern Europe, emphasizing diasporic identities, post-Soviet transitions, and queer studies.

• Affiliations: Director of the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (2015-2020); President of ASEEES (2024); First Vice President of the Shevchenko Scientific Society.
• Education: Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, University of Pennsylvania, 1996.

Key research interests include transnational cultural flows, postcolonial theory, and gender/queer studies in Slavic contexts. He has authored Mapping Postcommunist Cultures and co-edited volumes on Eastern European literatures. His translations include Ukrainian/Russian literary works and historical documents.

Chernetsky's publications analyze topics like wartime poetry, diasporic identity, and cinematic representation. Recent articles address Ukrainian cultural resilience, post-Soviet queer narratives, and transatlantic cultural redefinitions.

• Professional Service: Editor of the Ukrainian Studies book series; member of multiple editorial/advisory boards.
• Grants/Advising: No specific grants listed; advising roles unspecified but active in academic leadership.

He leads interdisciplinary initiatives bridging film, literature, and cultural theory, advocating for global engagement with Eastern European studies. His work emphasizes cultural decolonization and LGBTQ+ visibility in post-Soviet spaces.