About BRAMS Institute
On a summer day in July 2018, Georgian founder Dr Maia Nadare and British Professor Dr Jeremy J. Ramsden engaged in a discussion regarding the establishment of the Institute for British, American, and Kartvelian (Georgian) Interdisciplinary Global Studies. While considering twelve potential names, the founder noted the similarity of one abbreviation—BRAMS, derived from 'Br(itain) + Am(erica) + S(akartvelo)'—to the surname of Johannes Brahms, the esteemed German composer and pianist. As both were passionate admirers of classical music, they decided upon the name BRAMS Institute for the new think tank.
The Georgian Association for American Studies (GAAS) has played a crucial role in establishing numerous centres for American Studies throughout Georgia. In a similar spirit, Professor Dr Vasil Kacharava, President of the GAAS and a faculty member at Tbilisi State University, was instrumental in the founding of the BRAMS Institute, generously providing valuable resources, including books and journals related to American studies.
The BRAMS Institute functions as a think tank, comprising a well-structured team of seasoned professionals. At the time of its formation, each founding member possessed at least two decades of experience in British, American, and Kartvelian (Georgian) studies, having lectured at various Georgian universities, published monographs, contributed articles to peer-reviewed academic journals, and participated in international conferences.
As a non-profit academic institution, the BRAMS Institute is home to leading experts who offer insights and recommendations on a wide array of political, cultural, economic, historical, and media-related issues. Their mission is to replace outdated or erroneous stereotypes with effective solutions for Georgia and the contemporary world, which is currently marked by instability and external pressures. Despite being a relatively new entity, the extensive experience of the team members has quickly attracted significant global interest, establishing their professional reputation as a respected Georgian think tank in the field of British, American, and Kartvelian interdisciplinary global studies. Their work garnered attention both locally and internationally within the first six months of the think tank's establishment.
Team members are often asked why they dedicate their time to an endeavour that may not yield financial profit. The answer is simple: they perceive their efforts as beneficial for their homeland and the broader world. As American politician Alan Autry once stated, "Leadership requires the courage to make decisions that will benefit the next generation." This compelling motivation drives the members of the BRAMS think tank, who have already initiated several impactful changes. They embrace challenges and are prepared to navigate the long and arduous journey ahead, confident that the best outcomes are yet to come.
