Program on Central Asia

Scholar-Entrepreneur Initiative

The Program on Central Asia promotes research and teaching at Harvard on the history and current affairs of five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

We support the study of the Central Asian region using tools and insights from various fields of social sciences and humanities. Our activities include research projects, seminar series, curriculum development and course offerings, creation of digital resources for the study of the region, facilitation of research by students and visiting scholars, and cultural events. 

While the program aims at generating and disseminating knowledge and resources on Central Asia spanning different periods of its history, our main focus is on the independence period and current developments. We approach Central Asia as a region that opened up as a result of the dissolution of the USSR. The states, economies, and people of Central Asia are now an integral part of the globalized world, and developments in the region cannot be properly understood without tracing and analyzing different forms of connectivity, influence, and interdependence.

Projects, Events, and Publications

Related Insights

Central Asian countries should capitalize on accessible Chinese resources in their pursuit of a clean energy transition, while continuing to diversify their renewable energy markets.

Key takeaways from a discussion between the Program on Central Asia and the CAREC Institute.

Photos documenting the construction of the Great Fergana Canal depict Soviet dreams of building a new environment for a new socialist people.

Related Events

Upcoming Event

The Davis Center invites paper proposals from graduate students at any stage, including master’s students, on topics related to Central Asia.

Past Event

Join us for a conversation with Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the U.S., Yerzhan Ashikbayev to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing his country, as well as the future of the Kazakh-U.S. strategic partnership.

Past Event

This panel will discuss ongoing socio-economic reforms in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, focusing on barriers and opportunities for structural change.