July 13–27, 2016

Republic of Armenia

Fieldwork in Armenia

In July 2016, a student sociological expedition was held in Armenia under the guidance of E.A. Varshaver and A.L. Rocheva. The expedition gathered RANEPA students with interests in migration, transnational connections, and everyday life in rural communities.

What is life like in rural Armenia? How is it connected to Russia — economically, symbolically, personally? How is it being transformed by large-scale migration? Participants sought answers to these and other questions through fieldwork: conducting interviews, observing village life, and keeping detailed field diaries.

The expedition was based near Lake Sevan — the largest and most scenic lake in Armenia. From there, participants traveled to nearby villages, engaged in conversations with local residents, discussed their observations back at the field camp, and practiced methods of qualitative research. The expedition combined academic research with hands-on learning: students not only conducted the study, but also learned how to design it, ask meaningful questions, and analyze the resulting data.

Interview with tractor drivers

Routes and Urban Explorations

Alongside rural fieldwork, participants also visited Yerevan.

Expedition participants and Mount Ararat in the background