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This Month in Mongolian Studies is a monthly listing of selected academic activities, resources and other material related to Mongolia. This list is based on information the ACMS has received and is presented as a service to its members. If you would like to submit information to be included in next month's issue please contact the ACMS at info@mongoliacenter.orgThis publication is supported in part by memberships. Please consider becoming a member of the ACMS, or renewing your membership by visiting our website at mongoliacenter.org/join. Thank you!
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ACMS Announcements, News and Media References
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ACMS WELCOMES NINE SUMMER 2019 FIELD RESEARCH FELLOWS TO MONGOLIA
ACMS traditionally welcomes a new group of Summer Research Fellows in June and this year is no exception. The impressive 2019 group includes nine individuals working in a variety of disciplines including anthropology, earth sciences, ecology, law, mass media and music.
A variety of institutions are also represented among the awardees including Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardesville, University of Arizona, University of Pittsburgh, Western Kentucky University and Yale University.
We look forward to welcoming some of the 2019 Fellows to the regular ACMS Lecture Series later this year, providing opportunities for these scholars to share their areas of interest,research and expertise with a Mongolian audience. We also want to acknowledge the generosity of the US Department of State and especially the State Department's Office of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) which makes this program possible.
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ACMS CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR 2019 LUCE SUMMER FIELD SCHOOL PROGRAM
As noted in the May newsletter, response to the innovative new ACMS Summer Research Field School program supported by the Henry Luce Foundation has been gratifying. Prior to the submission date, more than 130 faculty, students and lifelong learners had applied to attend, including 50 applicants from Mongolia.
Further reporting on this exciting new ACMS program will be provided in subsequent issues of This Month in Mongolia Studies. For now the ACMS office in Ulaanbaatar is busy planning the program which includes courses in Field Archaeology, Rural-to-Urban Migration and Renewable Energy. This year's courses run from July 29 through August 16.
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ACMS IMPLEMENTS ACADEMIC WRITING WORKSHOP HOSTED BY MONGOLIAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION IN ULAANBAATAR
 Over 60 participants attended the ACMS-supported Academic Writing Workshop held from May 8 through May 10 at the Mongolian State University of Education in Ulaanbaatar. The program included presentations on Day 1, round-robin group exercises on Day 2 and individual consultations on Day 3.
Instructors included ACMS Communications Specialist Naransogt Baatarkhuu on the "nuts and bolts" of English grammar; Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Maggie Lindrooth on style and formatting; and ACMS Academic Programs Advisor (and founding director of NOMAD Science) Dr. Julia Clark on selecting and submitting articles to academic journals.
Participants included undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral students and lifelong learners. Feedback at the conclusion of the workshop was very positive with many participants stating that they would welcome similar such workshops in the future.
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ACMS IMPLEMENTS "SURVIVAL MONGOLIAN" PROGRAM IN ULAANBAATAR IN MAY, SCHEDULES FOLLOW-UP COURSE FOR JUNE
 Another in a continuing series of Survival Mongolian classes in Ulaanbaatar was organized and successfullly implemented during the period May 13 through May 24, with classes meeting on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. Reviews of this ACMS service to Mongolia's expatriate community continue to be highly positive.
The next in this continuing series of Survival Mongolian courses will be run from June 17 through June 28 -- the last such course offered until September. The course costs 300,000 MNT per person and there is a maximum size of ten people per class. If interested, please contact ACMS or send an e-mail to the following e-mail address: tuvshinzaya@mongoliacenter.org
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ACMS-RELATED VIDEOS OF POTENTIAL INTEREST TO ACMS MEMBERS
Video on Follow-up Visit to Ger Design Project organized by former Fulbright Scholar (and former ACMS Speaker presenter) Kim DuPont-Madinier, accessible here.
Video by ACMS Speaker Dr. Timothy May (University of North Georgia) on Military Integration in Mongol Warfare: Development of Combined Arms Warfare in the Mongol Empire, available here.
Video on Academic Writing Workshop hosted by Mongolian State University of Education, accessible here.
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ACMS Sponsored Programs and Events
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ACMS SPEAKER SERIES
ALEXANDRIA HILL: "'THE PRESENT WILL BE INFORMED BY WHAT I'VE SEEN': THE IMPACT OF EVENT BEFORE AND AFTER THE 1990 REVOLUTION ON THE TRANSMISSION OF INTERGENERATIONAL EDUCATION"
5:30 PM ON TUESDAY, JUNE 4 AT THE AMERICAN CENTER, ULAANBAATAR PUBLIC LIBRARY
 This presentation provides an exploration that began as an inductive approach to research Cremin's notion of family as educator in the Mongolian context. Through a series of conversation openers created by the Elbenwood Center for the Study of the Family as Educator, 14 Mongolians living in New York City (USA) and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) share their narratives of what they learned from their families and outside the formal classroom.
The scope of this paper is narrowed to that of the grandparents' education viewpoints. From a micro-societal level, we learn that participants learned how to read and write, cook, husbandry, Mongolian history, how to play chess, and more from their grandparents. These skills provide utility for child development and in life itself.
This presentation highlights how narrative meaning-making is a medium for understanding the collective identity of memory, culture and narratives (Wang, Song, Koh, 2017). The narratives also illustrate how the reproduction of memories and spaces influence the collective memory of a society (Zerubavel, 2003).
Alexandria Hill is an international educator and scholar who guides learners of all ages and backgrounds toward self-described socio-mobility through education. She has worked in various formal and non-formal educational settings that foster family and community engagement to support learning and development within the Mongolia family context and its consequential Soviet influences.
Alexandria first came to Mongolia as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Khovd province focusing on student learning, teacher development and community development projects. After moving to Ulaanbaatar as the inaugural Lead instructor at the American University of Mongolia's English Language Institute, she helped see the program and teaching staff triple in size.
Alexandria earned her Masters degree in International Educational Development concentrating in Family and Community Education from Columbia University. She earned her Bachelors degree in Advertising from Temple Univeristy. She speaks Spanish and Swahili and has studied Mongolian.
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NO ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR POSITION OPENINGS RECEIVED THIS MONTH
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Research Fellowships, Scholarships and Grants |
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NO ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS RECEIVED THIS MONTH
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CALL FOR PAPERS FROM INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MONGOLIAN STUDIES (IAMS)
 The journal Mongolica, published annually by the International Association of Mongolia Studies (IAMS), is seeking papers for its 2019 edition (Volume 53) covering literally all areas and branches of Mongolian studies. The deadline for submission is August 1, 2019. Papers should be submitted electronically and in English only.
For more information, contact the following e-mail address: iamsmongolia@gmail.com
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CHRISTOPHER ATWOOD RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MONGOLIA
Warmest congratulations to Dr. Christopher Atwood who in May was awarded an honorary doctorate from the National University of Mongolia in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Mongolian studies. Dr. Atwood represents the University of Pennsylvania as an institutional member of the ACMS Board. The Mongolian press agency story about the occasion is provided here.
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MONGOLIAN SCHOLAR HEADS STUDENT UNION, SELECTED TO DELIVER COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA-ANCHORAGE
Warmest congratulations also to Geser Bat-Erdene Galt, President of the Student Union at the University of Alaska-Anchorage on his selection as commencement speaker for his classe's recent graduation! See also an interesting related link here.
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MONGOLIAN ENVIRONMENTALIST AWARDED THIS YEAR'S GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE
 Finally, congratulations to Bayarjargal Agvaanrseren, one of only six international winners of this year's Goldman Environmental Prize. She helped preserve 1.8 million acres through the establishment of a new nature reserve in the South Gobi (Tost Tosonbumba Nature Reserve), a critical habitat for Mongolia's threatened snow leopard population. She also convinced the Government of Mongolia to cancel 37 mining licences within the reserve. For more information on her important contributions, see the link provided here.
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WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES "MONGOLIA DAYS," LAUNCHES NEW MONGOLIA STUDIES WEBSITE
 Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA hosted "Mongolia Days" during April 25-26, among other things hosting a showing of the movie Migrations and organizing a panel involving a discussion on Mongolia in the Eyes of the World that included presentations by Christopher Atwood (University of Pennsylvania), Karen Stout (Western Washington University) and Jonathan Addleton (Mercer University and American Center for Mongolian Studies). The program highlighted Western Washington University outstanding collection of Mongolia-related material. In addition, the occasion was used to launch a new "Study Mongolia" website for those interested in Mongolian studies.
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WORLD BANK LAUNCHES EXHIBIT ON CONTEMPORARY MONGOLIAN ART IN WASHINGTON, DC (MAY 16 - JULY 19, 2019)
The World Bank Art Program in Washington, DC officially opened its new exhibit on Innovating Tradition: A Contemporary Mongolian Visual Art Exhibition on May 16, 2019 in the Atrium at 1818 "H" Street, NW. For those visiting Washington during the next few weeks, the exhibit runs through July 19, 2019.
Works were selected from among nearly 700 submitted by Mongolian artists from around the world following an announcement made earlier this year. Prospective contributions included paintings, sculptures, mixed media and calligraphy.
In the end, 38 works were selected by a panel of art historians and development professionals, with a view toward celebrating "the cultural voices in Mongolia today" while also inspiring "conversation about socio-cultural ideas, as seen through the eyes of the country's cultural producers who are reflecting on and shaping 21st century Mongolian identity". A large number of contemporary Mongolian artists are featured including Solongo Chuluuntsetseg, Ochirbold Ayurzana, Gankhuyag Natsag and Tsolmon Damba, among many others.
Juliana Bondo who helped curate the exhibit notes "In pieces featuring intensely colorful brushstrokes female figures are depicted with bold agency, renewing conversations about feminity in Mongolian society; in yet even more pieces, artists celebrate the cultural touchstones of Mongolia such as the nomadic lifestyle as imaged by abstract architecture, and sculptural horses. All the works use a visual language that push aesthetic conversations forward and quite simply, but ever so importantly, innovate tradition".
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SIXTH INTERNATIONAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULED TO TAKE IN ULAANBAATAR ON SEPTEMBER 18-19
The Sixth International Symposium on Health Research will take place at the Novotel Hotel in Ulaanbaatar on September 18-19, 2019. Prospective participants include high level Mongolian officials and a broad range of international researchers. Duke University's One Health Program is assuming a lead role. For further information, contact Amber Barnes: amber.barnes@unf.edu or access the conference website here.
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OTHER UPCOMING MONGOLIA-RELATED EVENTS
The University of Life Sciences in Ulaanbaatar will host the sixth annual AVA Congress on Sustainable Agricultural Development -- Value Chains, Agricultural Markets and Trade from June 17 through June 19 in Ulaanbaatar. Researchers and agribusiness representatives from 20 countries are expected to attend. Those interested in more information should visit the conference wesite here.
The Sixteenth Annual Mongol Children's Festival and Competition will be celebrated in Washington, DC on Saturday, June 1. The event lasts from 11 AM until 5 PM and takes place at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Arlington at Ballston.
The 2019 Annual Politics and History Association (APHA) conference will take place in Ulaanbaatar from September 24 through September 28. Sponsors include Clarewood University, Blue Banner Foundation, International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations and the Mongolia Society. This year's conference will focus on "Challenges Confronting Asia Today: Nuclear Proliferation, Environmental, Economic, Civilizational". Those interested in more information should contact Dr. Mark Zhong (mzhong@clarewoodva.org) or Dr. Alicia Campi (usmagcampi@aol.com)
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NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR MONGOLIAN STUDIES PRESENTS PLANS FOR NEW YEAR
Montsame, the Mongolian news agency, reports that the National Council for Mongolian Studies recently reviewed last year's report and submitted its 2019 plan to Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports in Ulaanbaatar.
Among other things, the meeting to review these documents resulted in approval for a plan to "intensify operations of Centers of Mongolian Studies abroad". It also plans to organize three academic conferences during the coming months. In addition, it plans to organize an International Conference of Young Mongolists "to prepare the next generation of Mongolists and attract young researchers".
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Contemporary Mongolian English Dictionary by Altangerel Tserendorj (24,900 Mongolian MNT for customers in Mongolia; for US customers the cost is $34 including shipping -- please contact the author directly at altngrl@yahoo.com)
This updated Mongolian to English dictionary was just published in Ulaanbaatar. According to details provided by the author, it offers English language definitions for approximately 100,000 Mongolian words and idomatic expressions.
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INTERNET LINKS TO RECENT ARTICLES RELATED TO MONGOLIA
Once again there were several interesting posts related to Mongolia during the last month. Examples include:
Nature, posted May 23, 2019: Land-locked Mongolia May Hold Clues to Underwater Volcanoes
British Ecological Society, posted May 14, 2019: Effects of Aridity on Soil Microbial Communities and Functions Across Soil Depths on the Mongolian Plateau
Wall Street Journal, posted May 13, 2019: From H&M to Gucci: Fashion Rethinks Cashmere, Citing Environmental Harm
Mountain Journal, posted May 13, 2019: What the American West can Learn from Wolverine Conservation in Mongolia
Cosmos, posted April 30, 2019: Eurasian Migration Advanced Steppe by Steppe
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Rough Magic: Riding the World's Loneliest Horse Race by Lara Prior-Palmer; 288 pages; Hard Cover ($25); Audiobook ($23.80) (Catapult, 2019)
 At the age of 19, Lara Prior-Palmer discovered a website devoted to the Mongol Derby, "the world's longest, toughest horse race," an annual competition of endurance and skill that involves dozens of riders racing across 1,000 kilometers of Mongolian grassland. This well-written and deeply personal memoir describes her experience -- why she raced in the Mongol Derby; what the race was like; and how competing in it changed her.
Described by Entertainment Magazine as a "lyrical memoir," this early review also praises her descriptions of the Mongolian landscape as "beautiful" and "intense". Given the extent to which so many outsiders visiting Mongolia project their own myths and fantasies on the Mongolian landscape, culture and history, it is interesting to read a recent interview with the author that wrestles with this issue: "The most difficult part for me was the most dangerous part: writing about Mongolian culture, Mongolian people . . . just feeling so terrified, the weight of that colonial travel-writing tradition, really wanting to not fall into it . . . wondering nonstop about how someone of Mongolian heritage might feel if they read this book".
Very possibly, Rough Magic will reach a large audience, given a number of laudatory early reviews including in the New York Times ("Rough Magic delivers"), Newsweek ("astonishing and hair-raising"), BuzzFeed ("absolutely riveting"), National Public Radio ("excellent prose and rigorous honesty"), Booklist ("engaging"), Kirkus Reviews ("inspiring and spirited"), Salon ("fresh and delightful"), BookPage ("stunning debut memoir") and Library Journal ("fresh, irreverant and a quick wit")
Lara Prior-Palmer made headlines in 2013 when she became the first woman -- and youngest competitor -- to win the Mongol Derby, regarded as the world's longest and toughest horse race. Born in London in 1994, she studied at Stanford University and has lived in California, England, Iran and Wales.
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Women and the Making of the Mongol Empire by Anne F. Broadbridge; 355 pages ($71 Hardback; $31 Paperback); (Cambridge University Press, 2018)
 Looking through the prism of distinguished women of the Mongol Empire such as the mother and senior wife of Chinggis Khan as well as less well known but no less interesting figures including his daughter and his conquered wives, this important book provides a new and valuable perspective on the role of women in the world's largest land emipire. As Broadbridge demonstrates, women played and especially vital role in both the politics and the successions of the time, a role that continued to unfold in intriguing and sometimes surprising ways in the various Khanates following the breakup of the Mongolian empire.
Beatrice Manz (Tufts University) describes this book as "intelligent and original," adding that it offers "new insights" and takes the study of women in the Mongol Empire to a "new level". Peter Jackson (Keele University) commends Broadbridge for her exploration of the "highly complex place of women and marraige in imperial politics," adding that it "helps to make sense of the alignments within the imperial dynasty". Timothy May (University of North Georgia) describes Women and the Making of the Mongol Empire as a "timely and unique contribution to the scholarship of the Mongol Empire which will forever change our understanding of the Mongolan elite".
Anne F. Broadbridge is Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She is a member of the Middle East Studies Association and the Central Eurasian Studies Society. Her previous book is titled Kingship and Ideology in the Islamic and Mongol Worlds (Cambridge University Press, 2008)..
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