Koenker, Diane (1947-) | University of Illinois Archives

Diane Koenker (1947- ) was an emeritus professor of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies in the department of History at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before becoming the Director of the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) at the University College London in 2018. She is internationally recognized for her work on the 1917 Russian Revolution and early Soviet Union, as well as her work on labor history, social history, and the history of leisure and consumption. During her time at Illinois (1987-2017), professor Koenker chaired the Department of History (2011-2015), directed the Russian and East European Center (1990-1996), and served as the Director of Graduate Studies (2008-2010). Professor Koenker has also been recognized for her excellence in teaching, receiving numerous teaching awards. She also served as the President of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) in 2013 and she was the editor of the Slavic Review from 1996-2006. Her research has been funded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, International Research and Exchanges Board, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Fulbright-Hays Program, to name a few. Professor Koenker has published numerous books, articles including Moscow Workers and the 1917 Revolution (1981), Strikes and Revolution in Russia, 1917 (1989), Republic of Labor: Russian Printers and Soviet Socialism, 1918-1930 (2005), and Club Red: Vacation Travel and the Soviet Dream (2013).

Diane Koenker was born on July 29, 1947. She earned her undergraduate degree from Grinnell College in 1969. She completed her masters (1971) and Ph.D. (1976) degrees at the University of Michigan. Professor Koenker taught at the University of Illinois in 1975 as visiting lecturer and then at Temple University as an assistant professor from 1976-1983. Professor Koenker returned as an assistant professor to the University of Illinois in 1983, became associate professor in 1986, and full professor in 1988. Professor Koenker is a prolific author who has written numerous books, articles, book chapters on the 1917 Russian Revolution, the early Soviet Union, labor history, and the history of leisure and consumption in Russia. Professor Koenker also served as the director of the Russian and East European Center at the University of Illinois; editor of the Slavic Review; Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of History at the University of Illinois; and she was the chair of the Department of History at the University of Illinois. Professor Koenker retired from the Department of History at the University of Illinois in 2017 and became the Director of the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) at the University College London in 2018.

Professor Koenker has been the recipient of countless postdoctoral fellowships and grants, including: the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship (2006-2007); the National Council for Eurasian and East European Research grant (2006-2007); the Mellon Faculty Fellowship (2006); the International Research and Exchanges Board, International Advanced Research Opportunities Program (2006); the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Collaborative Projects Grant (1994-1995); the Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (1993); and many others.

Professor Koenker has also received numerous awards and honors including: the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Association for Women in Slavic Studies (2014); President of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (2013); the Chester Higby Prize of the Modern European Section of the American Historical Association, for best article in preceding two years in Journal of Modern History (2003); the Arnold O. Beckman Research Board Award (1990-91, 2002-2003, 2012-13); Chair, Modern European Section, American Historical Association (2001-02); the LAS Alumni Discretionary Award for Service (2000); the Department of History George S. and Gladys W. Queen Excellence in Teaching Award in History (1996-1997); and was included on the Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked Excellent by Their Students (1985, 1987, 1991, 1993,1994, 2001, 2006, 2012, 2016).

Diane Koenker is married to Roger Koenker.