Cambridge Central Asia Forum in collaboration with the Centre of Development Studies, University of Cambridge invites you to a talk by
Albina Muratbekova, Eurasian Research Institute of the Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University,
on
‘Soviet Science Diplomacy: Central Asia and Central Asians in the Advancement of Soviet Eastern Policy’
Date: 17 February 2023
Time: 11am-1pm (UK time)
Venue: SG2 Alison Richard Building
Online: Zoom Registration https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqfuqsqjIrH9bgook7uZIgrFDlixSokPcE
Everyone is welcome.
For more information please go to https://centralasia.group.cam.ac.uk/
Abstract: Soviet Central Asian researchers collaborated with the outside world despite the constraints of the Soviet system when prospects for foreign scientific cooperation by Soviet scientists were limited. The people of Central Asia held a special place in Soviet foreign policy by virtue of being of Asian origin and Muslims and having extensive knowledge and awareness of the Eastern languages and civilizations. This paper explores examples of Central Asians who led diplomatic and scientific exchanges in the Soviet period and showcases the myriad ways in which Central Asian science and scientists continued to exercise influence in Soviet Diplomacy. The talk will discuss how Central Asians used understanding of and ties to the East in diplomacy, for diplomacy, and with diplomacy.