Our regional research explores the flows, of goods, data, and ideas, that shape Central Asia’s future. We publish in-depth analyses of trade trends, barriers, and emerging opportunities across the region. We also examine digital connectivity, including Kazakhstan’s dependence on external internet routes and its implications for neighboring states. Beyond data, we serve as an intellectual bridge through the Central Asian Think Tanks Forum, which brings together research institutions to collaborate, exchange insight, and tackle shared policy challenges across borders.
Related work:
Kazakhstan’s Internet Landscape
Central Asian Think Tanks Forum
We champion new ways of thinking and teaching about climate change in Central Asia. Our Turn It Around initiative brings together youth across the region to create a policy-relevant, culturally rooted climate education toolkit. We also expand local access to global ideas, including our 2024 translation of The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan into Kazakh and Russian. Environmental thinking runs through all our work, shaping not only dedicated projects but also our broader outlook on regional development, risk, and resilience.
Related work:
East–East
China has become an essential force in Central Asia’s economic, political, and social landscape. Through our East–East program, we support research that critically examines the region’s evolving engagement with China, from trade and investment to governance, values, and public sentiment. We nurture young scholars, commission original analysis, and promote evidence-based debate. Our flagship contribution is Beyond the Silk Road, a multi-year public opinion study on how Central Asians perceive China’s rise and role, based on over a dozen survey waves across four countries.
Related work:
Beyond the Silk Road: Navigating the Complexities of Central Asia’s Public Opinion on China
