CENTRAL ASIAN RESEARCH CENTER (CARC)
About
Established in 2019, the SDU Central Asian Research Research Center (CARC) is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding in Law, Media, and International Relations in the Central Asian region.
Our team of dedicated researchers actively participates in research activities at SDU and focuses on addressing issues related to law, international relations, media, and journalism. We aim to provide valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, scholars, and the public to promote positive change and progress in the region.
We also collaborate with other research institutions, including the “Silk Road” research center of “Ala-Too” International University in Kyrgyzstan and the “Policy Perspectives” fund in India. We can expand our network and deepen our understanding of the region through these partnerships.
Aims and objectives
We aim to establish ourselves as a leading regional hub for research and development (R&D) in Central Asia.
We aim to expand our expertise in the intersections of gender studies, human rights, and inclusive education in the region, strongly emphasizing evidence-based reasoning. To achieve this, we are committed to accelerating inter-institutional connections with research and non-research entities focused on Eurasia, East Europe, and Central Asia and building partnerships globally.
We seek to engage with passionate individuals who share our vision for R&D excellence at SDU.
Our focus is on producing fundamental and applied research with practical policy implications through internal and external funding sources.
We will also ensure that our research findings are widely disseminated to reach a broad audience.
Maigul Abilova
Senior research fellow
Maigul Abilova is a graduate of the Kazakh Humanities and Law University, holding a PhD in Law. Her research interests include Civil Law, Private International Law, International Trade Contracts, and International Commercial Arbitration. Dr. Abilova’s publications focus on issues related to the application of conflict of laws and determining applicable law in resolving disputes with foreign elements. She is the author of 36 publications, including a monograph, and has published in Kazakhstani and international journals as well as conference proceedings. She combines teaching and research activities with practical work in her field.
Shatlyk Amanov
Senior research fellow
Shatlyk Amanov is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Social Sciences at SDU University, where he has been teaching courses in international relations since 2017. After graduating with honors from the B.A. program in Public Policy, he held several senior management positions in the private sector. Currently, he teaches courses in the fields of international organizations, public international law, security studies, comparative politics and various modules on diplomacy. His research interests broadly focus on foreign policy, international organizations, comparative politics, and area studies. His recent publications include book chapters titled India’s Rise in the Global South and INSTC: Insights from the South−South Cooperation 3.0 model published by Routledge (2024) and Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy and Human Rights published by SDU University (2020), as well as several journal articles, including The External Convergence of the EAEU on Global Issues: Evidence from the UN General Assembly Vote, 2000–2020 published in Journal of Globalization Studies (2024), and Democratic orientations of the people in the South Caucasus in the mid-1990s in KazNU Bulletin (2019). He is currently working on a research article about multivectorism in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
Marat Yestemirov
Senior research fellow
Marat Yestemirov is an Associate professor at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of SDU University. He has experience of working as a lawyer in private companies in Kazakhstan in addition to his teaching work at universities. Dr. Yestemirov received his PhD in 2018. His research interests include civil law, corporate law, and bankruptcy law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He has completed research fellowships at the universities and research centers in Italy, Turkey, Russia, and Germany.
Sergey Golunov
Senior research fellow
Sergey Golunov holds a Doctor of Political Science degree from Nizhny Novgorod State University. His previous career includes positions as a Professor at Almaty Management University, MGIMO University (Russia), Kyushu University (Japan), and Volgograd State University. Dr. Golunov has also worked as a Lead Researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations under the Russian Academy of Sciences, a Research Fellow at the University of Tartu (Estonia), and a Marie Curie Research Fellow at Durham University (UK). Dr. Golunov is the author of around 200 academic works, including several monographs, such as EU-Russian Border Security: Challenges and Responses (Routledge, 2012), Elephant in the Room: Corruption and Cheating in Russian Universities (Ibidem 2014), and Russia-Kazakhstan Border: Security and International Cooperation Issues (Volgograd State University, 2005). His research interests encompass border studies, particularly cross-border cooperation, as well as non-traditional security topics such as energy, water, and food security. Throughout his career, Dr. Golunov has contributed to numerous international research projects and received prestigious grants, including the EU’s Marie Curie Fellowship, Fulbright Scholarship, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Russian Science Foundation, Marie Curie Fellowship, and others.
Galym Zhussipbek
Senior research fellow
Galym Zhussipbek is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences, SDU University in Kazakhstan. He holds a PhD from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science. His PhD dissertation focused on critical theories/Neogramscian approach, European and Eurasian security, and orientalism. Dr7 Zhussipbek’s research interests include critical theories, Critical Realism, theoretical foundations of human rights, inclusive development, ideational trends in ‘Muslim world’, women’s rights, children’s rights, and decolonial approach.
Yessengul Kap
Senior research fellow
Yessengul Kap is the head of the “Minber” Center for journalism excellence and an Assistant professor at SDU University. She holds candidate of philology sciences degree from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, as well as an MA in International and Multimedia Journalism from Newcastle University (UK). With nearly 20 years of experience, Yessengul Kap has worked for various print media outlets including Shalkar (1994-1998), Kazakh Yeli (1998-1999), and Turkistan (1999-2014). Additionally, she freelanced for BBC’s Kazakh service (2004-2006) and Radio Free/Radio Liberty’s Kazakh service (2008-2012). Yessengul Kap was the pioneer of the first Kazakh online news website, www.tarlan.kz (2002-2004), and has since managed two news websites: turkystan.kz (2009-2014) and minber.kz (since 2009). She continues to oversee the “Minber” Center for journalism excellence, organizing approximately 50 workshops to enhance the professionalism of Kazakh journalists. Her research interests encompass media ethics, media law, media literacy, and critical discourse analysis.
Assylzat Karabayeva
Adjunct research fellow
Assylzat Karabayeva holds a PhD in International Relations from the International University of Japan. Her research focuses mainly on the role of norms (ideas, identity, and culture) in the constraining and strengthening of region-building processes in Eurasia. She has working experience at the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where she also dealt with the negotiation process between the Kazakh government and other foreign governments and international institutions (WTO, ITC, UNCTAD, WIPO, ASEAN and Eurasian Economic Commission). She has been a visiting scholar at George Washington University’s Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, and has lectured at SDU University and KIMEP University (Almaty), as well as the International University of Japan in Niigata prefecture.
Aizhan Kopbayeva
Senior research fellow
Aizhan Kopbayeva is a PhD, Assistant Professor, and Head of the Department of Law at SDU University. In 2018, she defended her PhD dissertation at the International University of Kyrgyzstan on the topic “Criminal Liability for Violating Land Laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.” Her research interests focus on legal regulation of land relations, particularly the legal issues of changing the designated use of land plots and legal liability for violations of land laws. She also provides legal consultations on land disputes. For over fifteen years, she has been teaching the course on Land Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Aizada Nuriddenova
Director of Research Center
Aizada Nuriddenova is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Sciences, SDU University in Kazakhstan. She holds a PhD in International Relations, specializing in Chinese foreign policy, from Jilin University in China. During the 2023-2024 academic year she was a visiting scholar at the Central Asia Program (CAP), Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at George Washington University. Her research interests are centered on Chinese foreign policy and regionalism in Central Asia.
Darkhan Orynbassarov
Senior research assistant
Darkhan Orynbassarov is TR researcher, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at SDU University in Kaskelen, Kazakhstan and PhD Candidate in Narxoz University Almaty, Kazakhstan. He earned his master’s degree from SDU University in 2011 and has been teaching courses in international relations and international law since 2009. Currently, he teaches courses in the fields of Law, Introduction to English Common law, Introduction to Law, and various modules on law. His research interests focus broadly on human rights, particularly inclusive education, foreign policy, public policy and area studies. His recent publications are “Does Hydropower energy help to reduce CO2 emissions in European Union countries? evidence from quantile estimation” in Environmental Development (2023), “Globalization and Humanitarian protection: the principle of military necessity in the law of armed conflict” in International Conference (2021), Empowering Almaty’s Disabled Workforce: Action for Inclusive Labor Market in Journal of Economic Research & Business Administration (2024), and The Importance of Multi-Vector Energy Strategy for Kazakhstan, a Routledge book chapter (2024).
Madiyar Saudbayev
Senior research fellow
Madiyar Saudbayev is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, SDU University. He holds a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, complemented by international experience at Istanbul University. His research focuses on mass communication, digital media, and the integration of innovative pedagogical approaches in education. Currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at SDU University, Dr. Saudbayev has a proven track record of fostering academic excellence, spearheading interdisciplinary research, and implementing strategic initiatives that drive institutional growth.
Yerkebulan Sairambay
Senior research fellow
Yerkebulan Sairambay received his PhD in sociology from the University of Cambridge in 2022. He is currently an Assistant professor at SDU University (Kaskelen, Kazakhstan). His research interests involve, but are not limited to, the following areas of expertise: political participation, new media, civil society, climate change, clan politics, democratisation, and nation- and state- building with a particular focus on the countries of postcommunist Europe and former Soviet Union. The results of Dr. Sairambay’s research have been published in Human Affairs, Central Asian Survey, Slavonica, Studies of Transition States and Societies, Slovak Journal of Political Sciences, Politics in Central Europe, Laboratorium: Russian Review of Social Research, Media Asia, and Lexington Books (Rowman & Littlefield).
Diana Abdussattar
Assistant coordinator
Diana Abdussattar is an assistant coordinator majoring in international relations at SDU University, focusing on global communication and political ideologies. Throughout her academic experience, she actively participated in numerous conferences and Model United Nations events, earning “Best Delegate” and “Outstanding Delegate” nominations. Diana served as Vice President of the Model European Union and was an expert at international conferences. She was also a member of the League of Volunteers in Almaty. Through her involvement in these extracurricular activities, she gained leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Organized International Conference on Law and Social Sciences 2021 “Law and Social Sciences during the Covid-19 Pandemic”
- Held an International Student Roundtable, “Ukraine-Russia Crisis: Perspectives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Poland,” on April 29, 2021.
- Organized an International Roundtable: “Ethnic Politics and Mass Media in Central Asia.”
- Hosted a presentation of a book titled “Rentier Capitalism and Its Discontents: Power, Morality, and Resistance in Central Asia” by Balihar Sanghera and Elmira Satybaldieva.
- Conducted an International Young Scholars Conference on May 25-27, 2022.
- Held an International Roundtable, “Indo-Central Asia Dialogue,” with the Centre for Neighbourhood Studies Policy Perspectives Foundation, New Delhi, Silk Road Research Centre, Ala-Too International University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 30-31, 2022.
- Co-organized the 3rd International Conference on Central Asia (ICCA) with partners on October 21, 2022.
- International Conference On Central Asia (ICCA) with partners, October 21, 2022.
Work plan
International Conference on Law and Social Sciences 2023 Law, Media, Society, Politics, and Geo economics in the Changing Landscape of Eurasia, April 24-25, 2023
Continue CARC’s collaboration with Policy Perspectives Institute (India)
Seek new avenues for research funding
Publications
Dukeyev, Berikbol. “Representation of the Kazakhstani famine (1931–33) in secondary school history textbooks, 1992–2021.” Central Asian Survey (2023): 1-19, (Peer-reviewed).
Dukeyev, Berikbol. “Kazakhstan in World War II: Authors and Publishers of Post-1991 History Textbooks.” Central Asian Affairs 8, no. 3 (2021): 251-272, (Peer-reviewed).
Dukeyev, Berikbol. The Evolution of State-Sponsored Television Series in Kazakhstan in Mapping the Media and Communication Landscape of Central Asia: An Anthology of Emerging and Contemporary Issues, edited by Elira Turdubaeva and Elena Papoutsaki (Lexington Books: Washington DC), 2023.
Dukeyev, Berikbol. Do Kazakhstanis care about their kin in Xinjiang? Open Democracy, June 7, 2021 (Analysis)
Contacts
SDU Central Asian Research Center Kaskelen, Abylai Khan st. 1/1 | Director of Research Center Aizada Nuriddenova |
Central Asian Research Center (CARC) at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences invites graduate (master), undergraduate (bachelor) students from SDU University, and young SDU staff (under 25) with strong interest in research to develop a research project, present their work, and exchange feedback. The conference will be held on November 21, 2024 in person at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences.
The aim of this conference is to provide a platform for young researchers to elaborate a research project, present their research ideas, and discuss their findings with peers and faculty. Participants are highly encouraged to work with a supervisor among the faculty members to ensure research originality, rigor, and significance.
Conference sessions
- Law
- International Law
- Journalism and Media Studies
- International Relations and Political Science
Conference themes
- Public law
- Private law
- International law
- Connectivity, trade, investments, digitalization, effects of AI
- Migration and cross-border interactions
- Climate change, environmental challenges, renewable energy
- Gender perspectives, youth empowerment, social and demographic issues
- Regional cooperation, international organizations, global governance, foreign policy, foreign policy and domestic politics nexus, public perception of other nations
- Disinformation, propaganda, media literacy, data protection, data journalism, data diplomacy
- Central Asian media climate
General information
- Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts on above themes (but not limited only to these themes)
- The language of the conference: English, Kazakh, and Russian
- All applications should be submitted via the application form
- Application deadline: November 8, 2024
- Successful applicants will be notified by November 15, 2024
- Late submissions will not be considered
- At the time of application, presenters should submit an abstract of their research
- Participants may submit joint research projects consisting of no more than two students
Why participate?
- Share research ideas and findings
- Network with peers, faculty, and practitioners
- Develop scholarly communication skills
- Prizes will be given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places from each session
- Certificate of participation will be given to each presenter
- Selected projects will be published in online conference proceedings and displayed during the international conference of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (ICLSS-2025) in April 2025 in the form of poster presentations
Abstract submission guidelines
- Abstracts should be no more than 250 words and contain no tables or figures
- Abstracts should be prepared using the template here
- For all abbreviations other than units, the word or words to be abbreviated should be written in full on the first mention followed by the abbreviation in parentheses
Publication and paper guidelines
- Selected papers will be published in an online conference proceedings
- Final article manuscripts should be submitted to iclss@sdu.edu.kz by December 20, 2024
- The paper should be between 3000-4000 words including references
- Empirical articles must contain an abstract (150 words), introduction, purpose, research question(s), central argument, literature review, method(s), results, discussion, and conclusion. Conceptual articles must contain introduction, purpose, research question(s), central argument, literature review, discussion, and conclusion.
- Referencing should follow APA style. Examples can be found here
- In-text citations should be done in author-date format
- Text must be in single line spacing range, with justified alignment, Times New Roman, font size 14.
- Title of the paper should be centered and typed in bold
- The author’s name, affiliation, and email should be centered below the title in regular font
- Paper margins are right margin 10 mm, upper margin 20 mm, left margin 30mm and bottom margin 25mm. Certain concepts and important ideas are allowed to be in bold or italics.
- A new paragraph must have 12-15 mm indentation from left
- Tables and figures must be easy to read and understand. They cannot be blurry.
- Each table or figure must be numerated with a short title and a source
General coordinator: Aizada Nuriddenova
Assistant coordinator: Diana Abdussattar
Please contact the coordinators by sending an email to iclass@sdu.edu.kz if you have any questions.
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