Emma Harden-Wolfson

Higher Education in Central Asia Blog (est. 2011)

  • A new era of international relations for Uzbek higher education

    In a series of moves that have been tentatively welcomed by Central Asia-watchers, Uzbekistan has been enjoying a resurgence of international support under the presidency of Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Mirziyoyev’s highest profile international visit so far was a trip this week to the United States. Covered in good detail by English language outlets including the latest… Read more

  • New article: Fake dissertation scandal in Tajikistan

    My new article is now out in University World News, in which I investigate a growing scandal in Tajikistan with a rash of plagiarised doctoral dissertations exposed. Vindicated in this highly embarrassing scandal include high level government officials and senior academics. Read the full story at http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20180428053554356. Read more

  • Kazakh medical students expelled for doctoring documents

    Just when you think the cool-headed forward-looking Kazakh government has higher education under control, another scandal erupts and throws things off kilter. On April 24, a report emerged that the Astana Medical University had been forced to expel over 100 of its students [ru] for doctoring their language test documentation. All (post)graduate students studying medicine/allied subjects… Read more

  • Mapping change in former Soviet higher education systems

    I recently presented at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Annual Conference and this blog post is about my presentation called Mapping change in former Soviet higher education systems: A view from the Russophone space. I also presented with my colleague Hayfa Jafar on our new joint research on how faculty in post-conflict societies are… Read more

  • Selecting university leaders in Kazakhstan

    Ever wondered how university leaders get chosen?   And specifically, how this process works in Kazakhstan? I thought so. A recent article on Kazakh website BNews offers a great ‘Who’s Who’ at the top echelons of Kazakhstan’s higher education system in its report on the competition for the top spot at three of the country’s… Read more

  • Free book! Research, Ethics and Risk in the Authoritarian Field

    I’m delighted to recommend a new book by Dr Adele del Sordi and colleagues at the University of Amsterdam called Research, Ethics and Risk in the Authoritarian Field. This is a much needed book – indeed, the first of its kind – to support researchers exploring a range of issues in the field in authoritarian settings. Dr… Read more