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Central Asia-Azerbaijan Fellowship Program

The Central Asia-Azerbaijan Fellowship Program (CAAFP) is intended for young professionals – scholars, government officials, public policy experts, and social activists – who seek to enhance their research and analytical skills and become public policy leaders. The fellowship is available to individuals from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. The fellowship program provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and build lasting intellectual networks among the Central Asian and Azerbaijani and U.S. scholarly and policy communities.

Spring 2021 CAAFP Fellows

Ilaha Abasli’s research at GWU explores ways of integrating local (grassroots) experience and knowledge into sustainability and development policies in the post-Soviet context (specifically Azerbaijan). She is a PhD researcher at Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus Rotterdam University. Ilaha holds a Master’s degree in International Development and Emerging Economies from King’s College London. She is also engaged in international development and sustainability consultancy work with the FAO (UN), the GIZ, and local NGOs. Besides her fieldwork and research, Ilaha has taught “Economic Development Models” to graduate students at Azerbaijan State University of Economics.

Her broader research interests include the circular economy and inclusive development, particularly in the context of developing economies; ways of scaling up frugal local innovations/solutions to the policy level; and fostering sustainability in emerging economies through participatory policies. Ilaha also co-founded the Azerbaijani organization Femiskop—Feminist Research Collective, which curates critical content on gender, environmental, and socio-economic justice issues.

Rustam Muhamedov’s research at GWU focuses on Turkmenistan’s youth studying abroad, their knowledge of gender issues in Turkmenistan, and their willingness to engage with addressing these issues. Rustam is an independent researcher who focuses in particular on Central Asia and Turkmenistan. His research interests include political and security developments in the region, particularly in Turkmenistan; digitization initiatives; cybersecurity; youth; and education. He has diverse work experience in the fields of education and research. In addition, he has experience of engaging with the OSCE network, having formerly been an intern on the Central Asia Desk at the OSCE Secretariat and participated in the ECPR/ODIHR Summer School on Political Parties and Democracy and several of the OSCE’s youth-focused initiatives. Rustam holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the OSCE Academy in Bishkek (2019) and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from American University in Bulgaria (2014).

Aida Naizabekova is a researcher interested in gender, media, and public policy. She previously interned at leading Australian communication agencies and is currently a Public Relations Specialist at a leading IT company developing socially significant startups for positive social impact in Kazakhstan. She holds a MA in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Sydney, Australia (2018) and a BH in Foreign Philology from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

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Zhaslan Nurbayev is a PhD / Candidate of Sciences in History and Associate Professor in the Department of Regional Studies of L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University. In 2014-2015, he completed an internship under the Bolashak Scholarship program at the George Washington University, focusing on “Political Problems of International Relations and Global Development.” Between 2015 and 2019, he participated in expert meetings within the framework of the project “IQ-Club of Russia and Kazakhstan: Development of Expert Dialogue between the Border Regions of the EAEU.” He is a graduate of the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan Public Policy Initiative, where he researched ungraded schools in Kazakhstan. In 2019, he took part in the Central Asian School of Analysts Cabar. Asia, implemented by IWPR, together with the OSCE Academy. His research interests include the history of religions, social policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and education reform.

Anastassiya Reshetnyak holds a BA and MA in Area Studies from al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty). She is currently a PhD student at L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University (Nur-Sultan). Her research interests include the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism, societal security, and youth policy. She works at KazISS under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; she is also a part of PaperLab Research Group. Anastassiya has worked with UN institutions (UNDP, UNODC, IOM) as a national expert/consultant and participated in USAID projects on PVE. She is an alumna of the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan’s Public Policy Initiative Program (Almaty, Kazakhstan), the Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism Train-the-Trainer Seminar (OSCE, Vienna, Austria), and internship programs at the Hudson Institute (Washington, D.C., US) and the Institute for National Security Studies (Tel Aviv, Israel). Anastassiya’s research at GWU focuses on improving youth resilience in the face of violent extremism in Kazakhstan.

Syinat Sultanalieva is a Central Asian academic with a PhD from the University of Tsukuba, Japan. In her academic research, she studies feminist narratives and LGBTQ activism and narratives from a decolonial point of view. She is a recipient of the MEXT Japanese governmental scholarship, as well as the Fall 2020 CAAFP Fellowship at the George Washington University. Prior to academia, Syinat was actively involved in women’s rights and LGBTQ activism in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. She is currently working as a Central Asia Researcher at Human Rights Watch.

 

Previous CAAFP Fellows and Their Publications

Fall 2019

Ilhom Aliyev

The Digital Generation and Startups in Tajikistan

Nafissa Insebayeva

Choosing Your Battles: Different Languages of Kazakhstani Youth Activism 

Aichurek Kurmanbekova

Unveiling Girls’ Madrasahs in Kyrgyzstan

Lola Ulugova (Lolisanam)

Tajik Artists Lead Social Change: The Role of Art in Questioning Tajik Traditional Values

Spring 2019

Elmurat Ashiraliev

The Many Challenges of Native Language Journalism in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan

Presentation, May 2019

Nazimaxon Davletova

Women of Uzbekistan: Empowered on Paper, Inferior on the Ground

Presentation, May 2019

Aigerim Kopeyeva

Factors Behind Regional Inequality in Education in Kazakhstan

Presentation, May 2019

Sergey Marinin

Agents of Change? Civic Engagement of Western-Educated Youth in Kazakhstan

Presentation, May 2019

Fall 2018

Aigoul Abdoubaetova 

Secondary Schools and Inequality: Navigating the Fragmented Landscape of Educational Choices in Bishkek

 

Snezhana Atanova

Turkmenistan, A Plebiscite of Nation of Artisans

Sahib Jafarov

Urban Tourism and a Clash of Cultures: Arab Inflows to Baku 

 

Daniyar Kosnazarov

Do-It-Yourself Activism: Youth, Social Media and Politics in Kazakhstan

Spring 2018

Dinara Alimkhanova 

Understanding the Rising NEET Phenomenon in Southern Kazakhstan

Presentation, May 7, 2018

Elchin Karimov

Can an Authoritarian Regime Have a Meritocratic Public Administration? The Case of Azerbaijan

Presentation, May 7, 2018

Dilmira Matyakubova

Who Is “Tashkent City” For? Nation-Branding and Public Dialogue in Uzbekistan

Presentation, May 7, 2018

Raushanna Sarkeyeva

Rethinking Urban Activism and Civil Society: Insights from Analysis of Bishkek Civic Networks

Presentation, May 7, 2018

Fall 2017

Anna Gussarova

Countering Extremism versus Freedom of Online Expression: the Case of Kazakhstan

Presentation, December 14, 2017

Karlygash Kabatova 

Overcoming a Taboo: Normalizing Sexuality Education in Kazakhstan

Presentation, December 14, 2017

Diana Mamatova

Grassroots Peacebuilding: Cross-Border Cooperation in the Ferghana Valley

Presentation, December 14, 2017

Jafar Usmanov

Youth as Agents of Peace at the Tajik-Kyrgyz Border

Presentation, December 14, 2017

Jeyhun Valiyev

Assessing the Impact of NGO Peacebuilding Programs in the South Caucasus: the Case of Nagorno-Karabakh

Presentation, December 14, 2017

Spring 2017

Kamal Gasimov 

Multimodal Salafi Engagement with Digital Media in Azerbaijan

Presentation, June 1, 2017

Nazik Imanbekova

Empowering Local Communities in the Kyrgyz Mining Sector: The Case of Talas

Presentation, June 1, 2017

Daniyar Kussainov

Inequality in Secondary Education and Kazakhstan’s Risk of Becoming a Fragmented Society

Presentation, June 1, 2017

Dinara Nurusheva

Improving Governance in Kazakhstan’s Mining Towns

Presentation, June 1, 2017

Rafael Sattarov 

“Spirituality and Enlightenment”: Uzbekistan’s State-Backed Ideological Policy

Presentation, June 1, 2017

Alexandra Tsay

Contemporary Art as a Public Forum in Kazakhstan

Presentation, June 1, 2017

Fall 2016


BerikbolBerikbol Dukeyev

Ethnic Return Migration in Kazakhstan: Shifting State Dynamics, Changing Media Discourses

Presentation, January 12, 2017

Savia Hasanova_pic (1)Savia Hasanova

Income Inequality in Kyrgyzstan: The Redistributive Effect Of Social Benefits

Presentation, January 12, 2017

M.Ismayilov-GWUMurad Ismayilov

A Resacrilization of Public Space and the Future of (Political) Islam in Azerbaijan: Quo Vadis?

SerikSerik Jaxylykov

The Northern Region and the Southern People: Migration Policies and Patterns in Kazakhstan

Presentation, January 12, 2017

Spring 2016

gulzhigitGulzhigit Ermatov

Understanding Illiberal Sentiments of Kyrgyz Youth

Presentation, May 24, 2016

 

arzuArzu Geybullayeva

Azerbaijan’s Suspended Democracy: Time For An International Reassessment

Presentation, May 24, 2016

dursunDursunjemal Halimova

Economic Smart Power: Utilizing The Untapped Asset Of Turkmen Youth

Presentation, May 24, 2016

sabinaSabina Insebayeva

Imagining the Nation: Identity, Nation Building and Foreign Policy in Kazakhstan

Presentation, May 24, 2016

kassymkhanKassymkhan Kapparov

Invisible Public Debt: The Case of Kazakhstan

Presentation, May 24, 2016

 

Fall 2015

5V1A7556Malika Tukmadieyva

Propiska as a Tool of Discrimination in Central Asia

Presentation, January 12, 2016

Xeniya Xeniya Mironova

Causes and Consequences of the Dysfunctionalities of the Housing Market in Dushanbe

Presentation, January 12, 2016

Dilorom

Dilorom Boqikhodjaeva
The Marginalization of Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Tajikistan

Presentation, January 12, 2016

DSC04515 Serik Beissembayev

Religious Extremism in Kazakhstan: From Criminal Networks to Jihad

Presentation, January 12, 2016

Spring 2015

Irnazarov2-e1422913322871-150x150Farrukh Irnazarov

Labor Migrant Households in Uzbekistan: Remittances as a Challenge or Blessing?

Presentation, May 26, 2015

IMG_2015-1-e1423090077843Nazik Muradova

An Ideal Investor to Come: Diversification of the Energy Exports of Turkmenistan

Presentation, May 26, 2015

Fall 2014

Marina-Photo-e1408113773851 Marina Kayumova

Emigration of “Crème de la crème” in Uzbekistan. A Gender Perspective

Presentation, January 26, 2015

 

Photo.Zakharchenko_N-150x150

Natalia Zakharchenko

Quotes on Quotas? Political Representation of Women in Kyrgyzstan in the 2007 and 2010 Convocations

Цитирование квотирования: Политическая представленность женщин в Кыргызстане во время созывов 2007 и 2010 гг

                                           Presentation, January 26, 2015

Spring 2014

IMG_4785-e1409087040515-132x150 Said Yakhoev

Energy Policy Options for the Rasht Valley

Рекомендации по энергетической политике в Раштской долине

cap-sipri-photo-e1409086979703-132x150Nariya Khasanova

Revisiting Water Issues in Central Asia: Shifting from Regional Approach to National Solutions

Изменение подхода к водной проблеме в Центральной  Азии: от регионального сотрудничества к решениям на национальном уровне

Fall 2013

Pak-e1409086284831-132x150Yevgeniya Pak

The visa regime in Uzbekistan. A failed attempt at balancing regime interests and freedom of individuals

 

Bagishbekov-e1409086344732Sardar Bagishbekov

Ensuring Freedom from State Violence in the Kyrgyz Republic

Обеспечение свободы от  насилия со стороны государства в Кыргызской Республике

Spring 2013

safo-jaborov-110x150 Safovudin Jaborov

Youth Radicalization in Tajikistan: Causes, Consequences, and Challenges to Address

Радикализация молодежи в Таджикистане: причины, последствия и проблемы

Kourmanova-e1409086194889-132x150Aitolkyn Kourmanova

Regional Cooperation in Central Asia: Nurturing from the Ground Up

Региональное сотрудничество в Центральной Азии: интеграция снизу

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