News

The Cavendish Laboratory and British Management University in Tashkent (BMU) signed an agreement creating the BMU-Cavendish Development Initiative on 17 April 2026.This launches a pioneering initiative to establish a new framework for academic cooperation between a leading private university in Uzbekistan and a global research institution such as t…

Cambridge Central Asia Forum was delighted to welcome His Excellency Ravshan Usmanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Minister Councillor Dana Kurmasheva, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Minister Councillor Gunel Salimova, Embassy of Azerbaijan and Zafar Safarov - First Secretary, Embassy of Tajikistan on 21st March to a Roundtable…

Connectivity in Central Asia and the Caucasus6th-9th of December, 2021Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, University of CambridgeCOMPASS- Cambridge Winter Meeting (Hybrid)CONCEPT: Connectivity has long been associated with the region of Eurasia whether in the guise of the historic Silk Road(s) or the transport, communications and energy co…

The Central Eurasian Studies Society held its 7th Summer Conference in 2022 at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The conference took place on June 23-26, 2022 in an in-person/hyrbid format. The conference was held jointly with the European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS).Panel on Digital Transformation…

Cambridge Central Asia Forum in collaboration with the Centre of Development Studies and GCRF COMPASS Project, University of Cambridge hosted  His Excellency Mr Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic who gave an Address  on 'Current Developments and Priorities: An update from the Kyrgyz Republic' Date…

On 2 November 2021, Dr Saxena was invited to speak on the Roundtable on UK policy in Afghanistan organised by AISS and the Sussex Asia Centre. Speakers included Prof Marsden, Dr Mehran, Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay, Dr Ashraf, Mr Nishat and Mr Yaqin.The event was recorded and can be viewed here. 

Prajakti Kalra's Review of Hyunhee Park's book entitled 'Soju: a global history' for The Korean Journal of the History of Science August 2021 Volume 43, Number 2 is now out. Prajakti Kalra. Park Hyunhee, Soju: A global history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. 281 pp.. Korean Journal of the History of Science, 43(2), 505-509.https://www…

Recording of the workshop is now online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhzEXeWWA_I                                      Programme 10.00-10.15 am: Welcome - Siddharth Saxena (Montu) and Balihar Sanghera Panel 1: Neoliberalism, finance and inequality 10.15-11.00 am: Kuat Akizhanov - Thirty years of neoliberal governance in Kazakhstan: Origins, …

Publication Alert:Locating Central Eurasia's Inherent Resilience. P. Kalra. Cambridge Review of International Affairs 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09557571.2021.1993136This article aims to contextualise the inherent resilience of Central Eurasian states through the exploration of their particular history. The main purpose is to ground the ide…

Fitzwilliam Museum is proud to host an exhibition showcasing culture and artefacts from modern day Kazakhstan from Tuesday 28th September 2021 to Sunday 30th January 2022The Saka culture of Central Asia, flourishing 2,500 years ago, is largely unknown outside Kazakhstan. This exhibition will present artefacts from the extraordinary burial mounds of…

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) COMPASS project has been shortlisted for the International Collaboration of the Year at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2021, widely known as ‘the Oscars of Higher Education’The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) COMPASS project, hosted by the University of Kent in partnership with the Universi…

5th Annual Tartu Confeence on Russian and East European Studies Dr Saxena, Prajakti Kalra and CCAF Affiliates along with partners from the GCRF COMPASS project participated in the 5th Annual conference in Tartu, Estonia.7 June MC9: GCRF COMPASS Panel II The Eurasian Post Socialist OrderSession Chair: Siddharth Shanker Saxena, University of Cambridg…

Globalisation and Order - Insights from theMiddle Ages and Early Modern WorldWednesday, 12 May, 5.00 - 6.15pm (UK time) This is the third seminar in a 5-part series representing a unique opportunity for historians interested in applying historical insight to contemporary questions in international affairs.Speakers:‘Globalisation 2.0: Mongol Eurasia…

Talk by Professor Dr Ambassador Hasanov, Azerbaijan on 23 April 2021Cambridge Central Asia Forum in collaboration with the Centre of Development Studies Paper 400 and GCRF COMPASS Project, University of Cambridge organised a talk by Professor Dr. Ambassador Hasan Hasanov of Azerbaijan on the Tradition of Novruz: Historical Perspective from Azerbaij…

GCRF COMPASS is delighted to share the 10th edition of the Newsletter covering the period between November 2020-March 2021. Our teams in the UK and in our partner countries have worked hard and persevered through a difficult period. We have a whole array of events, seminars and discussions which we organised, there were a number of invited talks at…