Our EBPM Seminar Series at the Department of Public Policy brings external academics and practitioners to discuss their ongoing research. This event series prioritizes understanding how data, observations, and ultimately evidence is approached by each researcher.
Overview
In this presentation, we will make an attempt to look at the lives of Kyrgyz migrants in Russia, exploring their unique transnational mobility that has become an integral part of Kyrgyz politics and social media. With nearly a million Kyrgyz migrants splitting their lives between Russia and their motherland, we examine the distinct features of their migration, contrasting it with other postcolonial migrations. Unlike other migrant communities, Kyrgyz migrants return to their historical capital with fresh memories and nostalgic narratives passed down by their parents, shaping their attitudes toward Russia. However, their expectations are not always in line with the realities they face. We shed light on the challenges, cultural impact, and implications of their experiences, gaining insight into the significance of migration for Kyrgyz society.
About the speaker
Rouslan M. Rakhimov is an associate professor at the Department of Anthropology and International Development at the American University of Central Asia. He focuses his academic pursuits on migration, environmental, and historical anthropology, exploring the intricate connections between human societies and their surroundings. He actively collaborates on various initiatives within the Open Society University Network (OSUN). Notably, he contributes to projects like the Policy Lab and Rural Sustainability, both of which are spearheaded by professors from Central European University (CEU). His research and contributions continue to shed light on crucial issues related to human interactions, mobility, and sustainability.