Abstract
The article explores the development of research departments at the Marjani Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences over the past 30 years. The author’s qualitative research approach included interviews with the heads of the Institute departments and collection of data on the work of the departments and their staff. It allowed her to focus on the activities of this academic institution “from within,” through the eyes of involved observers and participants of the formation and subsequent development of this complex institution which is of importance for historical scholarly community and Tatar studies in Russia. The collected narratives allowed to examine the full scope of the research departments activities, trace how the structure of the Institute was developed, and how the socio-political and purely scientific context of the domestic historical field shaped the research directions and project activities of the departments and their members. The article traces the role of the older generation of scholars in the formation of the regional (Tatarstan) historical scholarly tradition and the reproduction of scientific personnel within the academic system. It also demonstrates the close interaction between academic mentors, graduate students, and young staff, which fostered motivation and passion for scholarly research on the history of the Tatar people. The article examines the significance and influence of large-scale research projects (“Seven Volume History of the Tatars”; “Millennium of the City of Kazan”, research on the Golden Horde civilization; research on the ethno-territorial groups of the Tatars; “Anthology of Tatar Theological Thought”; “Tatars in the Service of the Fatherland”) on the professional development of young scientific personnel, the development of the academic institution, and the flourishing of Tatar studies as a branch of historical science.