Muskingum News

Muskingum University senior Hope Craft ’24 presented her work at the New York University Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia undergraduate research symposium on March 9, 2024.

Hope was one of only 20 students nationwide who were selected to participate in the symposium. She presented under the category of “Diaspora Dynamics,” sharing her work on the Ahiska Turk people.

Her interest in the Ahiska Turks began during the summer of 2022, when she interned at the Dayton, Ohio international law firm Al-Hamdani and Associates. She assisted Muskingum Associate Professor of Political Science Richard Arnold with recording testimonies of this displaced group, as they described their experiences in Russia and their journeys to the Unites States.  She has continued research work in this area under Dr. Arnold’s mentorship

Her presentation paper, “Unforgiven: Unveiling the Ahiska Turks’ Journey from Meskheti to the United States,” focused on the ethnic group’s historical displacement, forced migration, and resettlement.

“My work documents the lived experiences of Ahiska Turks, focusing on identity, culture, language, and integration challenges,” Hope explained. “It was exciting to share my findings at the symposium and to explore this area of the academic world where others care deeply about the same issues as I do. I was glad to help raise further awareness of the displaced Ahiska Turks.”

A political science and English major, Hope is a John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellow and serves as President of F.A.D. sorority and as Chief of Staff for Student Senate. She plans to attend law school after graduating from Muskingum.