Area studies, geography and the study of Europe's East

Recent calls for regional expertise in the aftermath of the 2014 U krainian revolution have once again exposed the dependence of area studies on claims to geopolitical relevance. Whilst reinforced by the research impact agenda, this reflex is inherent in the very practice of naming and making areas. Attempts to transcend this conscription to geopolitics would contribute to the delegitimisation of the very areas on which an interdisciplinary area study depends, and herald the latter's gradual dissolution into the disciplines. Drawing on a discussion of current trends in A nglophone E ast E uropean S tudies, this commentary reflects on the broader relationship between human geography and area studies.