(Re)thinking Central Eurasia: Reflecting on the CESS Regional Conference 2026
From 16 to 19 June 2026, Nazarbayev University welcomed scholars, researchers, and practitioners from around the world for the Central Eurasian Studies Society (CESS) Regional Conference 2026, held under the theme: (Re)thinking Central Eurasia: Spaces, Societies, and Power."
The conference brought together participants from all over the world and provided an interdisciplinary platform for advancing research on one of the world's most dynamic and strategically important regions.
The programme featured a rich range of panel sessions spanning political science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, economics, business, education, gender studies, media studies, history, public policy, and many other fields. Together, these discussions reflected the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Central Eurasia and its place in a rapidly changing international landscape.
Many of the themes explored throughout the conference resonate directly with the vision of the MA in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies, jointly offered by Nazarbayev University and SOAS University of London, starting September 2026. Participants examined geopolitical rivalry, regional cooperation, identity, governance, social transformation, development, and the evolving role of Central Eurasia in global affairs. These are precisely the kinds of questions that our students engage with throughout the programme.
As the international system undergoes profound transformation, Eurasia has become increasingly central to debates on energy security, connectivity, trade corridors, critical raw materials, regional integration, and the rise of middle powers. Understanding these developments requires both rigorous disciplinary training and deep regional expertise. The MA in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies is designed to provide exactly this combination.
Hosting the CESS Regional Conference reaffirmed Nazarbayev University's position as a leading hub for research and scholarly dialogue on Central Eurasia. It also demonstrated the vibrant intellectual community that students joining our programme will become part of, with opportunities to engage with internationally recognized scholars, policy experts, and practitioners working on some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
We look forward to building on the momentum generated by CESS 2026 as we welcome the inaugural cohort of students to the MA in Global Affairs and Eurasian Studies.
