Two hundred and fifty scholars from around the world, many from the heart of Central Asia, are attending the Central Eurasian Studies Society's 12th annual conference at Ohio State this weekend. They are here to exchange ideas and participate in 50 panels on timely and timeless topics ranging from Social Media, Mediated Society; to Soviet Transformations of Childhood and Family; and Strategic Feasting: Exchange and Alliance in Tough Times.

A special seven-panel conference, within a conference, Eurasian Environments: Nature and Ecology in Eurasian History, organized by history professor Nicholas Breyfogle will explore Infrastructure, Development and Environment; Steppe Environments; Fruits of the Waters, and more.

Ohio State discussants are: George Lynwood, Christopher Fort, Scott Levi, Carter Findley, Margaret Mills, Kyle Olson, Nicholas Breyfogle, Christopher Otter, Benjamin Gatling, Mark Sokilsky, and Ian Lanzillotti.

Conference sponsors are: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Center for Slavic and European Studies, The Middle East Studies Center, The Mershon Center for International Security Studies, the East Asian Studies Center, the Department of History, and the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.