Projects history

CSPGS (formerly Saratov Center for Gender Studies) was established in 1996 by the teachers and researchers at the Social Work Department of Saratov State Technical University as a temporary creative team fulfilling research, consulting and educational activities in the field of social policy and gender studies. In 2003 it was registered as a legal independent entity. A number of individual and collective research projects financed by Russian and international foundations and organizations were implemented for this period of time.

The employees of the Сenter regularly take part in teaching at different summer schools and courses in Russia and abroad – by invitation of BudØ Regional University (Norway), Tashkent Resource Centre (Uzbekistan), Kharkov Centre for Gender Studies (Ukraine), the Centre for Sociological Education (Moscow), the Centre for Sociology of Culture (Kazan), Spencer Foundation (St.Petersburg), Samara State University (Samara). The Centre organized educational trainings for colleagues from Uzbekistan, Armenia, Denmark, Finland andUSA. Since 2001 the Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies prepares and holds international summer schools, seminars and conferences in Saratov

2012

“Rethinking Disability in Central Asia”

On April 28, 2012 a first on-line session of distance-learning course on “Rethinking Disability in Central Asia” was conducted with participation of scholars from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The session was conducted in real time by Professor Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova where she discussed with participants disability models and their implementations in the context of Central Asia countries. All participants received audio-visual presentations and recommended readings before session while during live on-line session they shared and discussed unique cases of their experiences in disability area in Central Asia countries: representation of disability in Islamic culture, in everyday life of post-soviet period, construction disability in the literature, art and folklore in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Gulnur from Kyrgyzstan, one of participants of this course mentioned that “never have been thought that disability could be considered from so many different sides”, whereas Asel, other participant from Kyrgyzstan after this session recognized that “It was very interesting to know that disability studies is a very big area and has so significant roots to the history”.
This course is initiated and implemented in the framework of two projects of High Educational Support Program (Open Society Institute): «(Re)vision of Social Policy in Post-Soviet Space: ideologies, actors and cultures» and «Central Asia Research and Training Initiatives». The main tasks of this course are uniting academic scholars and practitioners working in disability area in Central Asia, raising their awareness on issues and tendencies of considering disability on local and global levels, and also cooperation their efforts in realization of best practices and researches in disability area in the countries of Central Asia. The course is conducting by Professors Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova (Russia) and Patrick Devlieger (Belgium) with participation of Professors Pavel Romanov (Russia), Darjia Zavirsek (Slovenia) and Director of Education Support Program (OSI) Kate Lapham. At the end of this course participants will present their final group works in the field of inclusive education, disability and culture, representation disability in mass-media and social and cultural constriction of disability in Central Asia countries.
Rahat Orozova, co-ordinator of the course

Second on-line session of distance-learning course on “Rethinking Disability in Central Asia”

The second on-line session was successfully conducted by Patrick Devlieger on May 5. During this session professor introduced participants with syllabus (goals and tasks) and explained disability models’ table that describes differences and essence of   moral, medical, social and cultural model. Participants trying to understand models’ implementations in everyday life asked questions of differences between social and moral model, how cultural model should be developed in our central asian context where we have certain established traditions, values and attitudes, how should these things be changed if we would like to propagandize cultural model. 
It was great that participants raised the question how really cultural model is represented in our context.
Let me again as became traditional share some thoughts raised during after on-line session’ late night discussion in Bishkek:
Nazira (educational program, Kyrgyzstan): in our professional activities we used some specific terminology (handicapped, disability, invalids, inclusion, retardation and etc) but after this session I understood that we don’t really know the meaning and root of using terminology which is very important as this lecture has shown!
Asel (AUCA student, psychologist): I was surprised that some issues of explanation disability that I thought are related only to our culture have a real global scope. I am thinking to specialize on disability and spend my internship in one of disability organizations in Bishkek.
Jamilya (Kyrgyz National University, historian): After these two sessions I have changed my attitudes towards colleagues in my university who are disabled, but they do not change themselves (?). How could we explain the nessessity of development the cultural model of disability?
Gulnur (AUCA, Educational officer): I am very excited that in suggested texts disability could be considered as something not negative. Disability as innovation?! I am very surprised.

Course co-ordinator, Rahat Orozova 

2011

Comparative Analysis of Social Policy Processes in the Post-Socialist Space

Within the reported period about 50 researchers, 11 consultants and discussants took part in project Comparative Analysis of Social Policy Processes in the Post-Socialist Space. During the project realization there was a geographical expansion of the network and at present the participants of the project represent Saratov, Samara, Kazan, Tomsk, Krasnodar, Rostov-upon-Don, Barnaul, Ekaterinburg, Ulan Ude, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk and Kostroma; the universities and public organizations of the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Holland, Denmark and Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Estonia; the editorial staff of journals and organizers of databases. The project is continuously developing and involves researchers representing other regions of the Russian Federation. To spread results of the research CSPGS possesses the network resources provided by the Association of Crises Centers in Russia (50 cities), the Convention of the Independent Sociological Centers (12 cities) and by the Committee of Social Policy of the Russian Society of Sociologists (16 cities). The partner network of CSPGS includes scientific and research organisations, higher educational institutions as well as institutions and organisations of social sphere.

“Modernizing Education and Teaching in the Sphere of Social Work in the Russian Federation”

CSPGS is participating in the international project TEMPUS “Modernizing Education and Teaching in the Sphere of Social Work in the Russian Federation” have been realised. The partners of the project are University of Siegen, Germany, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, Saratov State Technical University, Kazan State Medical University; the Centre of Social Service Doveriye (Kazan), Nizhny Novgorod State University, the Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies. Within the project considerable updating of the bachelor and master syllabi of social work, training courses for teachers, European teachers’ academic courses in Russian higher educational institutions, creating course books and educational supplies, students’ participation in volunteer work in European social service organizations and holding meetings are presupposed within the project.

”(Re)vision of social policy in post-soviet space: ideologies, actors and cultures”

The aim of the project is to enable raising research and professional skills of young teachers from higher educational institutions through familiarising them with modern directions and problematic spheres in social policy studies. The participants of the project receive a qualified support from recognised Russian and foreign specialists in the sphere of social policy analysis for mastering new teaching methods, developing academic courses and performing their own research. Teachers and postgraduate students from higher educational institutions in all the countries comprising Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic countries who specialise in the sphere of studies of social policy, social problems and social work, sociology and anthropology of organisations, gender studies, giving courses in sociology, social work, social history and related disciplines participate in the project.

The Concept of Developing the System of Social Service of the Population of Saratov Oblast until 2025

Discussion of project The Concept of Developing the System of Social Service of the Population of Saratov Oblast until 2025 supervised by V.N. Yarskaya took place. The results of the discussion were submitted as proposals to the Ministry of Social Development. Critical comments and practical recommendations  were formulated by the researchers of the Center after considering the draft of the governmental document «The Strategies of Social and Economic Development of Saratov Oblast until 2025». The recommendations were submitted to the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Migration. A meeting of candidates for a master’s degree of the SAS department of SSTU with Minister of Social Development of the oblast V.V. Chernyshev was held by V.N. Yarskaya. The meeting resulted in introducing amendments into the plan of research by candidates for a master’s degree.

Civil Society: Order for “The Best Innovation School”

Member of CSPGS supervisory board V.V. Pechenkin participated in project Civil Society: Order for “The Best Innovation School”. The working out of project grounding and tools as well as the analysis and interpretation of the data of the research conducted in six cities of the Russian Federation are published in the collection of articles which resulted from the project. The research was conducted jointly with Saratov oblast public organisation Social Partnership. Besides, with V. Pechenkin’s participation, collective educational supply Violence in the Family: Coordinating Interdepartmental Efforts in the Sphere of Preventing, Crises Intervention and Rehabilitation of Victims was published. This book was the result of the realisation of the project having the same name. These publications are of special interest of practitioners in the sphere of social work and are actively used in the work of social service organisations as well as in the training process.

Available Environment

From March to October E.K. Naberushkina participated in the activity of the Ministry of Social Development in Saratov oblast connected with project Available Environment. Two lectures were given and several meetings within working groups devoted to the issues of forming universal design were held. Within the discussions and presentations the strategies of forming available environment, the principles of universal design, the principles of integration and involvement in the issues of forming available and modern social space around a person were considered.

2010

Social Policy in the Context of Transformation of Russian Society: Reforms and Everyday Life

Within the reported period about 50 researchers, 8 consultants and discussants took part in project Social Policy in the Context of Transformation of Russian Society: Reforms and Everyday Life. During the project realization there was a geographical expansion of the network and at present the participants of the project represent Saratov, Samara, Kazan, Tomsk, Krasnodar, Rostov-upon-Don, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk and Kostroma; the universities and public organizations of the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Holland, Denmark and Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Estonia; the editorial staff of journals and organizers of databases. The project is continuously developing and involves researchers representing other regions of the Russian Federation. To spread results of the research CSPGS possesses the network resources provided by the Association of Crises Centers in Russia (50 cities), the Convention of the Independent Sociological Centers (12 cities) and by the Committee of Social Policy of the Russian Society of Sociologists (16 cities). The partner network of CSPSG includes scientific and research organisations, higher educational institutions as well as institutions and organisations of social sphere.

“(Re)vision of social policy in post-soviet space: ideologies, actors and cultures”

Since February 2010 the international Programme of Supporting Higher Education (HESP Regional Seminar for Excellence in Teaching, ReSET) has been realised in collaboration with Departments of Social Anthropology and Social Work in Saratov State Technical University and Departments of Sociology and Socio-economic Systems and Social Policy in the State University of Higher School of Economy (Moscow, Saint Petersburg) and holding a series of training seminars for postgraduate students and teachers from regional higher educational institutions in Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic countries. The aim of the project is to enable raising research and professional skills of young teachers from higher educational institutions through familiarising them with modern directions and problematic spheres in social policy studies. The participants of the project receive a qualified support from recognised Russian and foreign specialists in the sphere of social policy analysis for mastering new teaching methods, developing academic courses and performing their own research. Teachers and postgraduate students from higher educational institutions in all the countries comprising Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic countries who specialise in the sphere of studies of social policy, social problems and social work, sociology and anthropology of organisations, gender studies, giving courses in sociology, social work, social history and related disciplines participate in the project. Summer and Winter schools as well as an active period of work between exams were held within the project.

Modernizing Education and Teaching in the Sphere of Social Work in the Russian Federation

Since February 2010 international project TEMPUS “Modernizing Education and Teaching in the Sphere of Social Work in the Russian Federation” have been realised. The partners of the project are University of Siegen, Germany, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, Saratov State Technical University, Kazan State Medical University; the Centre of Social Service Doveriye (Kazan), Nizhny Novgorod State University, the Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies. Within the project considerable updating of the bachelor and master syllabi of social work, training courses for teachers, European teachers’ academic courses in Russian higher educational institutions, creating course books and educational supplies, students’ participation in volunteer work in European social service organizations and holding meetings are presupposed within the project.

Development of Children’s Gift and Creative Work on the Basis of the Florist Art Technologies Complex

In 2010 participatory project of D. Zaytsev, a colleague of CSPGS, “Development of Children’s Gift and Creative Work on the Basis of the Florist Art Technologies Complex” was realized. The result of the project was a model of a studio for developing children’s gift and creative work which underwent appraisal and which was the basis of working out the system of criteria for effective art technology and formulating recommendations on optimizing the process of children’s creative work and gift development.

2009

Social Policy in the Context of Transformation of Russian Society: Reforms and Everyday Life

Within the reported period more than 63 researchers, 8 consultants and discussants took part in the project “Social Policy in the Context of Transformation of Russian Society: Reforms and Everyday Life”. Within carrying out the project there was a geographical expansion of the network and at present the participants of the project represent Saratov, Samara, Kazan, Tomsk, Krasnodar, Rostov-upon-Don, Barnaul, Ekaterinburg, Ulan-Ude, Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk and Kostroma; the universities and public organizations of USA, Canada, UK, Denmark and Sweden, Finland, Lithuania and Estonia; the editorial staff of journals and organizers of databases. The project is continuously developing and involves researchers representing other regions of the Russian Federation. To spread out research results the CSPGS possesses the network resources provided by the Association of Crises Centers in Russia (50 cities), the Convention of the Independent Sociological Centers (12 cities) and by the Committee of Social Policy of the Russian Society of Sociologists (16 cities). Within the project research was conducted targeted at studying history of Soviet social policy and culture of Soviet everyday life, processes of constructing modern ideology of  welfare state and its regulation by means of social policy; the development of visual research was carried on as well.

Construction of Social Problems: Social History, Visual Analysis, Ethnography

According to the results of distance course 25 out of 40 students became the participants of international seminar Health, Disability, Gender and Social Work in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia and Summer school Construction of Social Problems: Social History, Visual Analysis, Ethnography (the programs are in appendix).  The essays of students were reviewed by tutors, discussed by teachers and discussants at seminar and Summer school.  At the year-end 10 final essays were elaborated into the form of articles and were sent for printing to the Journal for Social Policy Studies and other publications. Other 15 articles are passing through the final edit for publishing

Equal Rights in the XXIth century

The powerful component of formation of intersector cooperation was Informational campaign “Equal Rights in the XXIth century” which is one of constituent elements of Project the System of Rehabilitation Services for People with Disabilities. The application effect of realization of Informational campaign consists in working out recommendations for Russian government in formation of system of complex multifield rehabilitation as a major instrument of inclusion of people with disabilities into active social life and assistance in gradual overcoming of social isolation of disabled people and realization of their social potential.

TEMPUS Modernising Education and Teaching in Social Work in the Russian Federation

Since February 2009 realization of international project TEMPUS Modernising Education and Teaching in Social Work in the Russian Federation has begun. The partners of the project are University of Siegen, Germany, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece; Saratov State Technical University; Kazan State Medical University; Center for Social Service Trust (Kazan); Nizhny Novgorod State University; Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies. The considerable updating of the curriculum for bachelor and master school in social work, training programs for teachers, training courses of European teachers in Russian higher educational institutions, creating course books and textbooks, students’ participation in voluntary work in social service organizations in Europe and holding arranged meetings is presupposed within the project.

2008

Research and Publishing Project “Social Policy in the Context of Transformation of Russian Society: Reforms and Everyday Life”    supported by the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation

Research component of the Project “Rehabilitation of people with disabilities in Russian Federation”, “Sociological Research into the Issues of People with Disabilities”,supported by European Commission

PR component of the Project “Rehabilitation of people with disabilities in Russian Federation”, “Promotion of a positive image of people with disabilities”, supported by European Commission

Research Project “Factors of Family Deprivation” supported by Independent Institute of Social Policy

Distant Learning Course and Summer School  “Visual representations of social reality: ideology and everyday life” supported by the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation

Project to elaborate the normative base of inclusive education, supported by Department of Education of Khanty-Mansiisk Avtonomnyi Okrug

Seminars and further qualification for social workers “Social Work with People with Disabilities”, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation and The Ministry of Social Development of the Saratov region

Survey on disability and disabled people in four pilot regions Report on Findings

The survey was carried out during April – June 2008 in four regions of the Russian Federation which had been selected as project pilot regions: Kostromskaya Oblast, Moskovskaya Oblast, Saratovskaya Oblast and the city of St. Petersburg. Significant contribution to the field work was made by NGOs for 4 disabled people (both local and national) and social protection institutions in the project pilot regions. All types of settlements existing in the Russian Federation were covered, including cities of federal importance, regional centre cities, district centres, towns and rural settlements.

2007

Research and Publishing Project “Social Policy in the Context of Transformation of Russian Society: Reforms and Everyday Life” supported by the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation

Action Research Project “Right to live in society: mechanisms of educational inclusion of children with disabilities” supported by IREX – Dialogue program

Seminars on the issues of inclusive education in Saratov and Kazan

Courses of further qualification for social workers “Innovative Technologies of Social Work in Families”, supported by John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health and Social Support of the Saratov region

Specialized courses in sociology “Visual Methods of Sociological Research”, John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation

Summer school-seminar “The Symbolic Codes of the Soviet Social Policy: Ideology and Reality of Reforms in Everyday Culture”, John D. and Catherine T. McArthur

Seminars and further qualification for social workers “Administration of Social Service”, “Social Work with Elderly and Disabled People”,  The Ministry of Public Health and Social Support of the Saratov region

2005

The standards of government bodies’ services: conceptual approaches to the ways of elaboration and application and to mechanisms of implementation on the basis of interaction with civil society and private sector International seminar supported by Moscow Public Scientific Foundation

The History of Social Work in Russia, XX c. International seminar supported by Volkswagen Foundation

The anthropology of modern society The course for retraining of post-graduate students, young researchers and teachers supported by the Centre for Sociological Education, the Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences

Social policy The course for retraining of post-graduate students, young researchers and teachers supported by the Centre for Sociological Education, the Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences

Sociology of management and organizations The course for retraining of post-graduate students, young researchers and teachers supported by the Centre for Sociological Education, the Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences

New approaches in sociology of management Russian scientific seminar supported by the Centre for Sociological Education, the Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences

The anthropology of professions in modern Russia: new and traditional International

seminar devoted to the anthropological perspective in studies of the processes of professionalism and everyday activities of professional groups in post-soviet societies, supported by the Russian Foundation of Fundamental Research.

Courses and the conference “The Professionalization in Social Management”, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation,   The Ministry of Public Health and Social Support in the Saratov region

PR project “World is open for all!” Designing and publishing a 12 pages calender with positive images of people with disabilities, supported by IREX – Dialogue program

2004

The anthropology of modern society The course for retraining of post-graduate students, young researchers and teachers supported by the Centre for Sociological Education, the Institute of Sociology  Russian Academy of Sciences

The improvement of state demographic policy measures: a regional perspective Russian conference supported by UN Support Council in the Russian Federation

Crime and punishment of juveniles: the opinion of population and experts Scientific and practical seminar supported by Ford Foundation and the Centre for Independent Social Research

Taking measures on demographic policy on a municipal level A seminar for specialists of public authorities and institutions of local governing in relation to the development and implementation of demographic policy on a municipal level supported by UN Support Council in the Russian Federation

The development of positive attitude of students to a healthy life style A seminar for specialists of educational institutions supported by UN Support Council in the Russian Federation

Information strategy of counteraction to the growth of death-rate for unnatural reasons A seminar with representatives of mass media supported by UN Support Council in theRussian Federation

The anthropology of professions in modern Russia: culture, power and micro practices of professional activity (jointly with the Centre for Sociological Education, the Institute ofSociology, Russian Academy of Sciences) Russian scientific seminar

2003

Social work in the modern world – global and local International seminar supported by TEMPUS-Tacis

Professionalisation of social work: education for practice International conference supported by TEMPUS-Tacis

Assistance to the most vulnerable groups rendered by institutions of local public governing Scientific and practical seminar supported by OSI

New approaches to conducting research of society and teaching of sociology Summer school supported by the National Training Foundation (NTF)

The accessibility of higher education for disabled people Interregional scientific conference supported by Ford Foundation

The peculiarities of demographic behaviour of population in modern conditions Interregional scientific and practical conference supported by UN Support Council in the Russian Federation

The role of mass media in formation and implementation of demographic policy Seminar with representatives of mass media supported by UN Support Council in the Russian Federation

2002

Gender sensitive social work: education and practice Summer school supported by Female Network Programme of OSI

Gender approach to social policy and social work Scientific and practical seminar supported by Female Network Programme of OSI

2001

Social inequality and education: problem, research, action International seminar supported by Civic Education Project

Social policy, social work and human’s rights Summer school supported by TEMPUS-Tacis

2000

Post soviet social welfare and professionalisation of social work in Russia (2000-2002) MacArthur Foundation Grantee – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. The study of theoretical discussion/rhetoric and practice of social policy and social work in one of Russian cities with the help of the data of ethnographic research of social services, the analysis of representations in mass media, in-depth interviews with key actors of social policy in the region and theoretical analysis of social policy development in Russia.

1999

The development of gender education Women’s Network Programme of OSI Grantee – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. The elaboration of educational and methodic basis for ‘Gender Studies’ course taught in Saratov State Technical University

Gender policy in Saratov region at the turn of the century (1999-2000) Russian Humanitarian Scientific Foundation and the Governor of Saratov region Director – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. The analysis of women’s position in Saratov region. The study of social policy in the region in a gender perspective.

1998

Anti-discriminatory social work in gender and disability perspectives (1998-1999) Fulbright Grantee – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. The research of American experience of social work with disabled people. The study of anti-discriminatory foundations of social work in a gender perspective.

A reflexive analysis of organizational culture in a transition period: the application of American experience Fulbright Grantee – Pavel Romanov. The study of American experience of conducting qualitative research of organizations and teaching of an ethnographic approach.

The methodology of anthropological research in an organization (1998-1999) Russian Foundation of Fundamental Research Grantee – Pavel Romanov. Theoretical elaboration of social and anthropological approach to the research of an organization. The analysis of organizational cultures with the help of ethnographic case-study methodology.

1997

The development of gender studies network in the Volga region Gender Studies Programme OSI Budapest Grantee – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. Setting of contacts and exchange of experience among researchers of gender relations in cities of the Volga region.

The rhetoric and practice of modernization at Russian industrial enterprises: a reflexive analysis of organizational cultures at a transition period Research Support Scheme of OSIGrantee – Pavel Romanov. A new and contradictory management experience of Russian industrial enterprises during the transition to capitalist relations combines ‘non-market’ and ‘pro-market’ values in itself. The process of modernization is viewed as a transition from paternalist to radically liberal perception and formation of a new management ideology.

1996

Comparative Research of a Family with a Disabled Child in Sweden and Russia Swedish Institute Grantee – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. A comparative research of social policy and social welfare systems. The analysis of parents’ opinion.

Sociocultural analysis of otherness (1996-1997) Russian Foundation of Fundamental Studies PI – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. Theoretical elaboration of social phenomenology of otherness, the study of disability problem in modern Russian society.

The Policy of Exclusion in Modern Society (on maternity and disabled children) (1996-1997) Research Support Scheme of OSI Grantee – Elena Iarskaia-Smirnova. The analysis of institutionalization and personal experience of exclusion in the context of maternity and children’s disability problems. A critical approach to the analysis of a complex modern situation which Russian mothers of disabled children face. The strategies of coping with a stress situation, resources, difficulties and sources of identity.