Ashley Morse specializes in early modern Russian literature. Combining extensive archival research and close philological analysis of primary texts with a broad theoretical framework, his dissertation, “The Spiritual Origins of the Petrine Myth” (2023) explores the intersection of the literary process and official culture in Early Modern Russia through an examination of mythmaking in the triumphal and commemorative programs at the court of Peter I. In addition to finishing his dissertation, Ashley has recently published a co-authored article, titled “Transferring Jerusalem to Moscow: Maksim Grek’s Letter and Its Afterlife,” (Russian Review, 2023).

While his dissertation is focused on early modern Russian literature, Ashley maintains a wide array of intellectual interests that ranges from ancient and medieval mystical traditions to the works of Vladimir Solov'ev and the poetry of the Russian Symbolists. Key questions he continues to explore in his research and teaching are the relationship between language and experience, philosophy and art, faith and politics, and the nature of truth and the sacred.

Beyond his academic interests, Ashley enjoys spending time outdoors with his partner, children, and family dog, Sviatopolk the Accursed.