Central Asia and the Caspian
The Conflict Research Group has extensive field experience in Central Asia and the Caspian.
It forms the subject of both a history and an area study course, which both concentrate on the societies and identities of the countries of interest.
The approach is thematic and based on cross-country case studies, while the course also examines trends and events in or affecting the region the future. Much attention is given to how the region acquired its current cultural and political geography during and upon it integration in the Russian (and partly the Chinese) greater space, how this continues to affect the present, and whether ‘classical’ (post-)colonial paradigms are applicable here.
Specific issues of research interest are: the social and economic impacts of globalization in and on the region; social change; the nature of the state and political culture; the dynamics of religion and national identity; and the position and role of ethnic and confessional minorities.
People
Current Projects
- Eurasian Insights: Strengthening Central Asian Studies in Europe (EISCAS) (contact: Bruno De Cordier)
- The Other Turkestan’: photography of the Russian empire’s Orient frontier (contact: Bruno De Cordier)