NAASR library enriched by Der Matossian donation

NAASR’s Mardigian Library was enriched in 2025 by the donation of 11 titles from the series “Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World,” published by Bloomsbury, which were donated by the series editor, Prof. Bedross Der Matossian, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in memory of his late father, Vartan Der Matossian (1933-2017). In recognition of the donation, and in keeping with NAASR's policy, each book has been given a bookplate recognizing the gift and honoring Vartan Der Matossian. Donations to NAASR’s Mardigian Library are vital to its growth to nearly 40,000 volumes. Whether the titles are old or new, any donation that adds to the depth and breadth of NAASR’s library is greatly appreciated. Parties interested in donating materials to NAASR's Mardigian Library should contact Library Director Ani Babaian. The donated titles from “Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World” include the first 11 titles in the series, which commenced in 2023. The series, which has rapidly become the most active and important Armenian-focused publication series in English, promotes innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to Armenian history, politics and culture in the period between 1500-2000. Focusing on the geographies of the Mediterranean, Middle East and contemporary Russia (Eastern Armenia), it directs specific attention to imperial and post-imperial frameworks: from the Ottoman Empire to modern Turkey/Arab Middle East; the Safavid/Qajar empires to Iran; and the Russian Empire to Soviet Union/post-Soviet territories. About Bedross Der Matossian Bedross Der Matossian is professor of modern Middle East history and Hymen Rosenberg Professor in Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he has taught since 2010. Born and raised in the Old City of Jerusalem, he is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and he completed his Ph.D. in Middle East history at Columbia University in 2008. From 2008 to 2010, he was a lecturer of Middle East history in the Faculty of History at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has also served as the Dumanian Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago. In 2024, he received the University of Nebraska’s College Outstanding Research and Creativity Award (ORCA) in recognition of his significant research accomplishments, and in 2026, he was named a fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for scholars and artists. Most recently, he was appointed director of genocide research for the Zoryan Institute. Der Matossian is a past president of the Society for Armenian Studies (2018-2022), and he serves on the boards of various international educational institutions and on the editorial board of multiple journals, including the International Journal of Middle East Studies (IJMES). He is a past member of the NAASR Board of Directors and a long-serving member of NAASR’s academic advisory committee. He is the author of “Shattered Dreams of Revolution: From Liberty to Violence in the Late Ottoman Empire” (Stanford University Press, 2014), which was winner of the 2015 Dr. Sona Aronian Book Prize for Excellence in Armenian Studies given by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) Outstanding Book Award in 2017, and “The Horrors of Adana: Revolution and Violence in the Early 20th Century” (Stanford University Press, 2022). He is the editor of the volumes “The First Republic of Armenia (1918-1920) on its Centenary: Politics, Gender, and Diplomacy” (The Press at Fresno State, 2020), “The Armenian Social Democrat Hnchakian Party: Politics, Ideology and Transnational History” (2023), “Denial of Genocides in the Twenty-First Century” (University of Nebraska Press, 2024), and co-editor of several other important books, and a long list of articles and book chapters of note. A conversation with Bedross Der Matossian Professor Der Matossian and NAASR’s director of academic affairs, Marc A. Mamigonian, recently discussed the “Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World” series, and we share their exchange here. Mamigonian: Bedross, what is the significance of having a series of this kind? What need(s) does it address, what gap(s) does it seek to fill? Der Matossian: My vision for this series is not necessarily confined to Armenian Studies as a separate and self-contained field of study. Rather, I envision Armenian Studies as a hybrid and interdisciplinary field, one that is enriched by other forms of “area studies” as well as by a wide range of interdisciplinary approaches. There are many excellent studies that, unfortunately, do not find a home with prestigious university presses. Scholars can become discouraged when their manuscripts are not accepted by such presses, even when their research makes an important contribution to the field. The Bloomsbury Series “Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World” has therefore become an important venue for scholars both within and beyond Armenian Studies, representing diverse disciplinary and interdisciplinary backgrounds. The series seeks not to define Armenian Studies narrowly, but to create opportunities for scholarship that places Armenian history, culture, society and experience in conversation with broader regional, comparative and global approaches. To date, we have published sixteen titles and another ten titles are in the pipeline. Another important aim of the series is to encourage scholars from Armenia to publish their research for an international readership. There are many talented young scholars working on the early modern and modern periods who need encouragement, mentorship and guidance in order to bring their research to publication in an international academic series. I make a particular effort to reach out to such scholars, encourage them to submit their work and help create opportunities for their scholarship to become more widely known. We are also fortunate to have an outstanding and highly engaged editorial board whose members actively provide feedback on proposals and manuscripts. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the series does not publish manuscripts indiscriminately. Every manuscript is subjected to a rigorous peer review process. We have rejected manuscripts in the past, while many others have successfully passed through the review process and gone on to publication. Maintaining these scholarly standards is essential to the intellectual mission and long-term reputation of the series. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the anonymous reviewers who have participated in this process. Their time, expertise, careful reading and constructive criticism have been indispensable to maintaining the scholarly quality of the series and to supporting the authors whose work we publish Mamigonian: Why Bloomsbury, and how is the series funded? Der Matossian: I.B. Tauris, formerly an imprint of Bloomsbury, has a long and distinguished tradition of publishing books in the field of Middle Eastern Studies. When I first established the series, Bloomsbury published its volumes under the I.B. Tauris imprint; more recently, however, the series has appeared under Bloomsbury Press. Over the years, I have developed a strong working relationship with Bloomsbury Press, particularly with Rory Gormley, senior commissioning editor for Middle East History, Literature and Culture. We have worked closely together for many years in developing the series and bringing important scholarly works to publication. One of the principal challenges facing the series, however, is the lack of dedicated funding. Scholars frequently encounter financial difficulties in meeting the costs associated with editing, preparation of manuscripts and other publication-related expenses. I work closely with authors to help them identify possible sources of financial support so that they can overcome these obstacles and bring their manuscripts to publication. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly clear that the series would benefit greatly from a dedicated fund specifically established to support its authors and publications. It is important to acknowledge that the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Knights of Vartan Fund for Armenian Studies have generously provided research and publication support for numerous works in the field of Armenian Studies, including some publications associated with the series. This assistance has been extremely valuable. Despite such support, however, significant financial challenges remain. Establishing a dedicated fund for the series would provide a more stable and sustainable means of assisting scholars, particularly with editorial and publication-related expenses and would help ensure the continued development and scholarly impact of the series. Mamigonian: Why “Modern and Early Modern World”? Der Matossian: Over the past two decades, I have observed an increasing tendency within the field of Armenian Studies in the United States and Europe to focus on the medieval and ancient periods. To some extent, this shift has come at the expense of the early modern and modern periods, which have experienced a noticeable decline in scholarly attention. Today, relatively few endowed chairs and academic programs in the United States are positioned to train scholars specializing in modern or early modern Armenian history. I therefore initiated this series, in part, to encourage the publication of scholarship on the early modern and modern periods and to provide a strong scholarly venue for work in these areas. That said, the series continues to have certain weaknesses, particularly with regard to the early modern period. To the best of my knowledge, Professor Sebouh Aslanian, holder of the Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA, is currently the only scholar in the United States who regularly trains graduate students in early modern Armenian history. Recognizing the need to strengthen the series in this area, I have recently begun collaborating with several scholars from the Matenadaran in an effort to expand its coverage of and engagement with the early modern period. Mamigonian: The authors in the series include scholars from the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Armenia — is there a conscious effort to enlist authors from around the world or is this just the way things have worked out? Der Matossian: You are right that there is a conscious effort to enlist scholars from around the globe. I put a great deal of effort into reaching out to scholars in different parts of the world and encouraging them to think of the series as a potential home for their projects. I am always looking for interesting and exciting projects that do not necessarily adhere to traditional ways of thinking about the field. I am doing my best to think outside the box and to create space for fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. Mamigonian: Are there any other series of this kind in English? Der Matossian: Yes, there are several comparable series in the United States. However, in terms of diversity, scholarly quality and publication pace, this stands out as one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing series. The series maintains a strong commitment to publishing rigorous, high-quality scholarship while bringing together diverse perspectives, topics and authors. Its careful editorial and peer review process further strengthens the quality and credibility of the published volumes. The average publication timeline is approximately two years, although this can vary depending on the author’s progress and the time required to complete and respond to the review process. Overall, the series combines a relatively efficient publication schedule with high scholarly and editorial standards, making it an attractive venue for authors seeking both quality and timely publication. Mamigonian: To conclude, Bedross, after several years editing this series, do you have suggestions for other scholars who might be seeking to start different Armenian-related publication series? Der Matossian: One key lesson I have learned is that a successful publication series requires a clear intellectual vision, a strong scholarly community and stable financial support. Before launching a new series, scholars should carefully consider existing gaps in the field and determine how their series can address them while avoiding unnecessary redundancy. Building a broad and diverse network of contributors, reviewers, editors and institutional partners is equally vital. Given that Armenian Studies is naturally interdisciplinary and international, a publication series benefits greatly from involving scholars across different fields, generations, institutions and countries around the world. I particularly recommend that editors create opportunities for emerging scholars while maintaining high academic standards. I also make a particular effort to encourage the publication of edited volumes on a range of topics that fall within the themes and chronological scope of the series. Such volumes can foster scholarship by bringing different scholars into conversation with one another around a common subject and encouraging new perspectives and approaches. Another important lesson is to be realistic about the practical side of publishing. Serving as the editor of a series is not an easy task. I receive neither a stipend nor a salary for this work; I do it because I believe in enriching and expanding the field. A series editor must also be very patient when working with authors. Not all authors are alike, and editors inevitably encounter obstacles that require patience, flexibility and diplomacy in order to bring a project to completion. Much of the work takes place behind the scenes, and successfully guiding a manuscript from its initial stages to publication can require considerable time and persistence. Finally, I advise scholars to view a publication series as more than simply a platform for producing books or articles. Ideally, a series should foster intellectual conversations, connect scholars who might otherwise remain disconnected, and introduce Armenian Studies to new questions, methods and audiences. Keeping this broader purpose in mind can help sustain a publication series—and those responsible for it—through the unavoidable challenges of editing and publishing.

NAASR library enriched by Der Matossian donation

Eleven titles from the “Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World” series were donated in memory of Vartan Der Matossian

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