GCRF COMPASS Cambridge organised the Research in Action Workshop on 8-11 April 2019 in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It was a three day training workshop designed to engage with research cultures, interdisciplinary research, and methodologies of research while considering the most current concerns in Central Asia, wider Eurasia and globally. It was organised with support from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, the Academy of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan, and the Institute of Contemporary History under the Academy of Sciences in Uzbekistan.
GCRF COMPASS Cambridge Research in Action Workshop April, 2019
GCRF COMPASS Cambridge together with The Coordination and Methodological Centre on contemporary history under the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences organised a three day workshop entitled 'Research in Action' on 8-11 April 2019. It was designed to engage with varied research cultures, interdisciplinary research, and methodologies of research while considering the most current concerns in Central Asia, wider Eurasia and globally. It was organised with support from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the UK, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, the Academy of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan, and the Institute of Contemporary History under the Academy of Sciences in Uzbekistan, University of World Economy and Diplomacy. This workshop provided the basis for research capacity building, a core goal of the COMPASS project, in academia, government and media. The workshop focused research methodologies across development paradigms and encompassed sustainability, multilateralism, scientific and cultural diplomacy, international relations, political economy, industrial policy and technology, science and education amongst other areas.
Participants-
Dr Siddharth S. Saxena, Director, Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, University of Cambridge & COMPASS project Co-Investigator, Centre for Development Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Prof Mirzohid Rahimov, Coordination and Methodological Centre on the Uzbekistan’s Contemporary History under the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences
Prof Alisher Faizullaev, University of World Diplomacy and Economy (UWED), Tashkent, Uzbekistan & COMPASS Project National Champion, Uzbekistan
Yvgeneiy Kolenko, Head, Academy of Prosecutor General of Uzbekistan, Tashkent
Prof B. Mirkasimov, Deputy Rector, Westminster International University, Tashkent, Transition Economies
Prof T. Nurmurodov, Pro-Rector for Science and Innovation, Navoiy State Mining Institute
Dr T. Yunusov, Sainsbury Laboratory and Jesus College, University of Cambridge
N. Ray, University of Cambridge
Dr M. Radivojevic, University College London
P. Kalra, University of Cambridge
Dr B. Eschanov, Westminster International University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Dr S. Orazgaliyev, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan
Dr N. Nurulla, Tajik National University, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dr A. Waljee, Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, University of Cambridge
C. Smyrilli, University of Cambridge
Dr H. Hamidov, Deputy Director, Navoiy Branch of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences
Prof M. Shahidi, Tajik National University, Tajikistan
V. Parmanov, Analytical Group "Central Eurasia"
Dr D. Kudaibergenova, University of Cambridge
Dr A. O’Connor, University College London
C. Laumulin, University of Cambridge
Dr S. Onalbaiuly, University of Cambridge
T. Schivatcheva, University of Cambridge
Dr B. Pingault, University of Cambridge
A. Muratbekova, Eurasian Research Institute & University of Cambridge
Y. Ji, University of Cambridge
A. Khudaykulov, University of Cambridge
C. Berman, University of Cambridge
A. Malikov, Westminster International University
A. Gomez, University of Cambridge
Y. Kashanova, Centre of Eurasia, Uzbekistan
U. Nigma, The Academy of the General Prosecutor’s Office, Uzbekistan
J. Csabay, University of Cambridge
A. Saqer, Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy
K. Zhang, University of Cambridge
A Asanova, University of Cambridge
P. Bishenden, University of Kent
M. Tukhataeva Westminster International University, Tashkent
S. Dickson, University of Cambridge
8 April 9:00am-8pm
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9:30am Introduction |
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Dr Siddharth S. Saxena, Director, Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, University of Cambridge & COMPASS project Co-Investigator, Centre for Development Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK |
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Prof Mirzohid Rahimov, Coordination and Methodological Centre on the Uzbekistan’s Contemporary History under the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences |
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Prof Alisher Faizullaev, University of World Diplomacy and Economy (UWED), Tashkent, Uzbekistan & COMPASS Project National Champion, Uzbekistan |
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Yvgeneiy Kolenko, Head, Academy of Prosecutor General of Uzbekistan, Tashkent |
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Panel 1 10:00am-12:30pm |
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Sustainability in Research and Innovation: Keynote Addresses and Panel Discussion |
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Chair: S. S. Saxena, University of Cambridge |
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Keynote Speaker: A Faizullaev, UWED, Tashkent. Modern Diplomacy |
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M. Rahimov, Coordination and Methodological Centre on the Uzbekistan’s Contemporary History under the Uzbekistan |
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Academy of Sciences |
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B. Mirkasimov, Deputy Rector, Westminster International University, Tashkent, Transition Economies |
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T. Nurmurodov, Pro-Rector for Science and Innovation, Navoiy State Mining Institute |
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T. Yunusov, Sainsbury Laboratory and Jesus College, University of Cambridge |
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12:30-2pm Lunch |
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Panel 2 2-4pm |
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Eurasia and Resource Policy: Is Eurasia resource rich but institution poor? How does resource extraction impact the environment? Can Central Asia with its huge resources of oil and natural gas be sustainable? Is Eurasia a producer/manufacturer or a thoroughfare? Bazaar vs Karkhanah: what is Eurasia? What is the future of Eurasia? Can Eurasia’s past help us understand its future? How can state enterprises be used for the greater good of the country? Is that possible? |
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Chair: M. Rahimov Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences |
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Keynote Speaker: S. S. Saxena, University of Cambridge ‘Re’-Sourcing Central Asia and Eurasia |
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Silks Roads: M. Radivojevic, University College London |
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Eurasia: Paradigms for Development: P. Kalra, University of Cambridge |
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Renewable energy/Energy policy: B. Eschanov, Westminster International University, Tashkent |
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Government-Business relations: S. Orazgaliyev, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan |
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4 -4:30pm Tea and Coffee |
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Panel 3 4:30-6:30pm |
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Discussion on Education and Capacity Building: Can we learn from each other? How do we talk about capacity across different political/academic cultures? Values and ‘Good Life’: can we talk about them as one thing for everyone? Can we talk about it in local and regional context and how that fits in with the “Western”/ “international” context? |
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Chair: S. S. Saxena, University of Cambridge |
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Keynote Speaker: M. Rakhimov, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Academic Cultures |
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Urban community: N. Nurulla, Tajik National University, Dushanbe |
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Transporting cultural identity through education: A. Waljee, Cambridge Central Asia Forum |
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Interdisciplinary research: C. Smyrilli, University of Cambridge |
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Growing Institutions: H. Hamidov, Deputy Director, Navoiy Branch of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences |
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7:30 pm Dinner |
9 April 9:30am-8pm
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Panel 1 9:30am-12:30pm |
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Scientific and Cultural Diplomacy. International organisations and Eurasia: the history of the region in its organisations/groupings. |
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Chair: B Mirkasimov, Westminster International University, Tashkent |
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Keynote Speaker: Nick Ray, University of Cambridge: Thinking Behind Planning |
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Cultural Diplomacy M. Shahidi, Tajik National University |
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Regional organisations P. Kalra, University of Cambridge |
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Engaging the Population: V. Parmanov, Analytical Group "Central Eurasia" |
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Eurasian Identity: D. Kudaibergenova, University of Cambridge |
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Knowledge Production: A. O’Connor, University College London |
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12:30-4pm Lunch and Excursion to Summer Palace |
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Panel 2 4pm-6pm |
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Governance and what it means for society inside the country and relationships in the international context? Could not performing for the market still serve the greater good of global community? Is there a difference between management and governance? E-government and Artificial Intelligence are a new institution, but do we understand the underlying mechanism governing relationships between technology generation, economics, society and governance? |
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Chair: H. Hamidov, Deputy Director, Navoi Branch of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences |
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Keynote Speaker: C. Laumulin, University of Cambridge: Eurasia’s Scientific and Social Policy Nexus, Then and Now |
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Local governance in Eurasia and Europe: S. Onalbaiuly, University of Cambridge |
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Science/Business Policy T. Schivatcheva, University of Cambridge |
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Collaborating and Producing Science: B. Pingault, University of Cambridge |
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Central Asian Foreign Affairs & Neighbourhood: A. Muratbekova, Eurasian Research Institute & University of Cambridge |
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6– 6:15pm Tea and Coffee break |
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Panel 3 6:15-7:45pm |
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Discussion about Economy/Institutions in the context of the environment and in terms of security. BRI vs Eurasian Economic Union vs European Union. SCO and NATO in the Eurasian region. Marxism vs Communism/ How can Eurasia relate its past with its future? Resource competition vs Resource accumulation: can there be cooperation? Is the Eurasian Economic Union a free market/customs union or the revival of the Soviet Union? Who are the architects of the economies of Eurasia? Planned economy vs liberal economy in the era of environmental insecurity? |
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Chair: B. Eschanov, Westminster International University, Tashkent |
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Infrastructure, China and Central Asia: Y. Ji, University of Cambridge |
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Regulation and Economic Performance in Central Asia: A. Khudaykulov, University of Cambridge |
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Doing and Developing sustainability in Caspian Neighbourhood: C. Berman, University of Cambridge |
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Digital Labour/new forms of labour (Marxist): V. Gritchenko, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics |
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Tashkent, Political economy/Macroeconomics: A. Malikov, Westminster International University |
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Finance and Central Asia: A. Gomez, University of Cambridge |
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8:15pm Dinner and Concert |
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10 April 10am-8pm
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Panel 1 9:30am-12:30pm |
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History as a cultural indicator/ how far back can we go? What is the Silk Road? What is Eurasia? In the era of fake news what role study of history can play in analytical methods of political science? |
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Panel Discussion Chair: P. Kalra, University of Cambridge |
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The Beyond and Between of Eurasia: Prof M. Shahidi, Tajik National University |
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Reconnecting Eurasia: D. Kudaibergenova, University of Cambridge |
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Digging up Eurasia: M. Radivojevic, University College London |
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Heart of Eurasia: History of Uzbekistan: Y. Kashanova, Centre of Eurasia, Uzbekistan |
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12:30-3pm Lunch and Excursion to Bukhara Ark |
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Panel 2 3pm-5:30pm |
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International Relations: Security considerations. Eurasia/Uzbekistan within a wider context. |
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Chair: S. S. Saxena, University of Cambridge |
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Law and Security: U. Nigma, The Academy of the General Prosecutor’s Office, Uzbekistan |
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Afghanistan and Parliamentary Structures: N. Fayz, Embassy of Afghanistan in the UK |
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State-Minority relations: J. Csabay, University of Cambridge |
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Political Economy of Eurasian and the Neighbourhood: A. Saqer, Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy |
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Panel 3 5:30-7:30pm |
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Migration/Gender/Daily life: How do everyday issues like migration and gender relations play out in economic relations? Eurasia and migration: Eurasian Economic Union: an opportunity or a challenge? Small economies vs big economies; landlocked countries that rely on bigger, more powerful neighbours, does this help or hamper relations in Eurasia? What is the role of the government and citizenry in making these decisions? BRI: an infrastructure project or China flexing its muscle in its neighbourhood? BRI: a response to Eurasian Economic Union and Russia’s power in the region or a response to the European Union and globalisation? Is China an architect of a new power dynamic or only in search of power/control/resources? Do the smaller countries in Eurasia: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have a say in either BRI or Eurasian Economic Union? How do these projects affect the common man? How does art and cultural power brokers understand/represent this new environment? In with the new and out with the old? Is there anything different from the former Soviet Union. |
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Chair: D. Kudaibergenova, University of Cambridge |
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China and Migration: K. Zhang, University of Cambridge |
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Migration from Kyrgyzstan: A. Asanova, University of Cambridge |
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Women’s NGOs in Central Asia: P. Bishenden, University of Kent |
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Soviet Visual Art: M. Tukhataeva Westminster International University, Tashkent |
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Social movements and democracy: S. Dickson, University of Cambridge |
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8 pm Banquet |