Academic interests
My PhD project explores forms of environmentalism in scientific communities focusing on Central Asia during its late Soviet history. I am interested in understanding how science and scientists mediate between different epistemic traditions of knowing and protecting nature. My dissertation is based on case studies from Soviet soil science, desert science. With my research aims to highlight the role of culture, ideology and other social factors in production of environmental knowledge and intend it as a contribution to "provincializing" the field of science and technology studies (STS) by considering case studies from outside Western science.
I work with a broad range of materials including archival sources, Soviet academic journals and publications, expert reports and studies conducted by international development organizations.
My PhD is part of the Anthropogenic Soils project.
Background
Before starting my PhD, I worked in the field of international development and cooperation and contributed to projects and research on Central Asia and other countries of the former Soviet Union.
I hold a master's degree in development studies from the Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) with a specialization in climate, resources, and sustainability and a B.A. in political science from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA).