Douglas Northrop

❍ Year of graduation: 1989
❍ Field of current or former occupation: Academia

---

Question: What is your current occupation and where do you live? Please briefly describe your duties and responsibilities. How long have you been at this position?

Douglas Northrop: Professor of History and Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; specialist in modern Central Asian history. I’m presently also associate chair of the History Department. I have been at UM since 2004.

Question: Did studying Russian language and culture at Williams help you in your professional and personal development? If yes, then how were Russian Studies were useful to you? What opportunities and challenges did the Russian major open up for you both specific to your current occupation and more generally?

Douglas Northrop: Yes, absolutely! Russian is central to my scholarship and teaching. I use it every day.

Question: Please share your advice or recommendation about the Russian department at Williams to a prospective student who is considering taking courses or majoring in our program.

Douglas Northrop: Russian language is a key tool for a range of career possibilities relating to Russia and the Russian-speaking diaspora — from academia through business, government, the military, NGOs, media/journalism, immigration, law, etc.