Thesis supervisor(s)
Professor Susanne Bauer, TIK Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo
Commentator
Associate Professor Ass. Prof. Dr. Jeanne Féaux de la Croix, Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern.
About Tokhir Pallaev
Tokhir Pallaev is a Doctoral Research Fellow at TIK Center for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo. He is part of the the Science and Technology Studies (STS) research group.
His PhD project investigates forms of environmentalism within scientific communities in Central Asia during the late Soviet period. His research examines how science and scientists mediated between different epistemic traditions of understanding and protecting nature.
Drawing on case studies in Soviet soil science and desert science, he explores the cultural, ideological, and social factors that shaped the production of environmental knowledge. Through this work, he seeks to demonstrate that scientific approaches to environmental protection were not developed in isolation, but were closely connected to broader social and political contexts.
His dissertation also contributes to the ongoing effort to “provincialize” science and technology studies (STS). By focusing on historical case studies beyond Western scientific settings, he aims to expand prevailing perspectives on how scientific knowledge is created, circulated, and applied.
His research draws on a wide range of source materials, including archival documents, Soviet academic journals and publications, expert reports, and studies produced by international development organizations.
His PhD project is part of the Anthropogenic Soils project.
How to participate
The seminar is open for everyone to join.