Dear NU Community,
We are pleased to invite you to an engaging and insightful presentation by Dr. Christopher Whitsel, a distinguished Professor of Sociology from North Dakota State University.
Date: Monday, June 10th
Time: 2pm
Venue: Block C3, 1010
If you are planning to attend, please register here.
About the Presentation:
Fieldwork in diverse cultural landscapes often presents unique challenges and potential misunderstandings. Understanding and adhering to research ethics, which are deeply rooted in cultural contexts, is essential for the success and integrity of any research project. Dr. Whitsel will share findings from three significant research projects conducted in collaboration with Martha Merrill.
Documenting Barriers: Examining the challenges Central Asian scholars face due to Western ethics review board policies.
Qualitative Interviews: Insights from Western-trained Central Asian scholars on best practices for fieldwork.
Survey Analysis: Investigating whether recent fieldwork practices align with the recommendations of Central Asian scholars.
About Dr. Christopher Whitsel:
Dr. Whitsel's profound research is influenced by his personal experiences in Russia and Uzbekistan, where he observed the societal transformations following the collapse of the Soviet Union. His work focuses on education and the inequality of access in post-Soviet Central Asia, highlighting the barriers families encounter in sending their children to school and the community factors that influence their decisions.
In addition to his academic research, Dr. Whitsel has collaborated with international organizations like UNICEF-Tajikistan and the Soros Foundation on various projects addressing social aspects of poverty and early childhood education in Tajikistan. Notably, he contributed to developing the sociology program at Nazarbayev University during his tenure from 2013 to 2015.
This presentation is an excellent opportunity for students, faculty, and researchers to gain valuable insights into the ethical considerations and best practices for fieldwork in Central Asia.
Contact information: aida.nuranova@nu.edu.kz Aida Nuranova, Office of the Provost
June 1
Conferences
June 4
Culture