Biography
I am a historian of modern Russia with further specialisations in German and Eastern European 20th century history. I have particular interests in the history of violence, occupation, and famine.
I am the recipient of a Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) by the Australian Research Council (ARC) for the project, ‘The Chaotic and Violent Transition from War to Peace in Soviet-Occupied Europe, 1945-1953’. Funding period, 2015-18-Project ID: DE150100969. This project involves a comparative study of the chaotic reconstruction of former Soviet territories and Soviet-occupied Europe in the wake of the Second World War. It compares aspects of mass violence and social disintegration which plagued these countries and asks how violent insurgencies hindered the Soviets in their attempts at reconstructing them, providing much-needed historical insights into the most contemporary and pressing problem of modern state-building.
I received my PhD in History from the University of Melbourne and taught Russian and Soviet History there for a number of years. Much of my research is based on declassified Soviet archival sources relevant to his major interests of Soviet occupations in post-war Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, and the post-war reconstruction of the Soviet Union itself. My recent book reflects these interests, The Soviet Occupation of Germany: Hunger, Mass Violence and the Struggle for Peace, 1945-1947 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013). The book has been described by leading historians such as John Barber as a ‘landmark in the history of WWII and its aftermath’ and has been listed in the Times Higher Education's Books of 2013 (UK), 'where the year's best reads for work and pleasure [are] chosen by scholars and senior figures in the sector.'
Read more on Filip's profileConferences
Conference Submissions
Slaveski, F. 2015. Fighting stalinism from within. Military raids on party pre-election meetings and troop violence across the post-war Soviet space, 1945-1946. ‘Europe, 1945: Liberation, Occupation, Retribution’ Conference at the National Research University - Higher School of Economics, Moscow, June 2015.
Slaveski, F., 2013. Brutalized peace? Demobilisation and violence in the Soviet Union, 1914-1953. Inaugural Conference of the Australian Russianist Study Group (ARSG) at Latrobe University, November 2013.
Slaveski, F., 2011. The russian civil war in Germany, 1945-49. Australasian Association of European Historians (AAEH) biennial Conference. Perth, University of Western Australia, July 2011.
Slaveski, F., 2011. Soviet and british food wars in occupied Germany, 1945-49. International Workshop on Grain and Politics of the Twentieth Century. Shanghai, Jiao Tong University, May 2011.
Slaveski, F., 2010. Separating the wheat from the chaff: soviet and british food polices in occupied Germany, 1945-47. International Workshop on Famines of the Twentieth Century. Melbourne, University of Melbourne, June, 2010.
Slaveski, F., 2010. Demobilisation and violence in soviet-occupied Germany, 1945-47. International Workshop on Demobilisation and Violence after the Two World Wars-Global Perspectives. Perth, University of Western Australia, April, 2010.
Slaveski, F., 2009. The masterpieces of stalinist politics: soviet responses to food shortages in post-war Germany, 1945-46. International Conference on Modern World Famines. Melbourne, University of Melbourne, March, 2009.
Slaveski, F., 2008. The importance of mass docility in the administration of occupied territories: the role of policing and violence in the soviet occupation of post-war Germany 1945-47. Australasian Association of European Historians (AAEH) biennial Conference. Sydney, University of Sydney, July, 2007.
Media appearances
Slaveski, F. Ukraine Crisis. Sky News. 2014 [TV programme] Sky News Channel, 2 September 2015, 18:00.
Slaveski, F. Russia and Ukraine: What is Putin’s Grand Strategy? Australian Institute of International Affairs Victoria. 15 October 2014.
Slaveski, F. Ukraine Crisis. Sky News. 2014 [TV programme] Sky News Channel, 26 September 2014, 18:00.
Slaveski, F. The soviet occupation of Germany. New Books in History [podcast] NBN, 2 July, 2014. Available at: http://newbooksinhistory.com/2014/07/02/filip-slaveski-the-soviet-occupation-of-germany-cambridge-up-2013/
Publications
Violence from below : explaining crimes against civilians across Soviet space, 1943-1947
M Edele, F Slaveski
(2016), Vol. 68, pp. 1020-1035, Europe-Asia studies, London, Eng., C1
The soviet occupation of Germany: hunger, mass violence and the struggle for peace, 1945-1947
F Slaveski
(2013), Cambridge, UK, A1-1
F Slaveski
(2013), pp. 187-206, Early life nutrition and adult health and development: lessons from changing dietary patterns, famines, and experimental studies, New York, N.Y., B1-1
F Slaveski
(2008), Vol. 54, pp. 389-402, Australian journal of politics and history, Melbourne, Vic, C1-1
F Slaveski
(2008), Vol. 42, pp. 137-155, New Zealand Slavonic Journal, Christchurch, NZ, C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
The Chaotic Transition from War to Peace in Soviet-Occupied Europe, 1945-53
Dr Filip Slaveski
ARC DECRA - Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
- 2017: $105,172
- 2016: $128,160
- 2015: $126,151
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report