Faith C. Hillis is a historian, author, and Professor of Russian History and the College at the University of Chicago. She studies Russia, Ukraine, and modern Europe, exploring how people, political movements, and ideas have shaped the world. Her work examines questions about national identity, migration, freedom, and the connections between different societies. University of Chicago
Professor Hillis earned her undergraduate degree at Princeton University and her doctorate at Yale University. She joined the University of Chicago in 2010 and has written books including Children of Rus’ and Utopia’s Discontents, which received the 2022 Wayne S. Vucinich Prize. Through her research, she uncovers stories that help explain how the past continues to influence our lives today. faithhillis.com
In 2026, she was named a Guggenheim Fellow, a prestigious honor supporting outstanding scholars, writers, and artists. Her latest book project investigates the origins and spread of a notorious antisemitic forgery, examining how false information and conspiracy theories can gain influence. Her work offers students an opportunity to explore how historians investigate evidence—and why questioning sources and thinking critically matter. University of Chicago News
