Could you please tell us about your educational and professional background?
I studied Political Science at Karaganda State University from 2000 to 2004, then did my Master’s degree at Central European University (Public Policy, Decentralization Stream) from 2005 to 2006. After that, I worked as a researcher and project manager at Public Policy Research Center, then as an analyst, manager, and eventually a Deputy CEO at the National Analytical Center. In 2018, having had twelve years of working experience in policy development, strategic planning, and consulting for the government, I decided to do my PhD at NU.
Tell us about your doctoral research?
My doctoral research was focused on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of extractive companies in developing countries. Specifically, I was interested in how the companies decide to select specific social projects to implement as part of their CSR. The local communities generally are supposed to benefit from CSR activities, so I was interested to know how the companies involve the communities in the decision-making for these projects. Another important actor is the state (national and regional/local governments), which both sets the rules for CSR and take an active part in the actual decision-making for specific projects. I developed a game-theoretic model describing the interactions of these key actors and then tested the model on three cases, two in Kazakhstan and one in Mongolia.
What is the applied value of your work?
My work helps future researchers understand the decision-making process for CSR projects in developing countries. The model I have created in my dissertation applies to many different cases. It provides a framework for analysis of the decision-making process and interactions of the actors. Based on my research, I have developed some specific policy recommendations to improve the participation of the local communities in the decision-making process for CSR projects. By applying the model to different cases in the future, developing specific recommendations for each case would be possible.
What can you tell us about the process of writing your thesis?
I was writing my thesis during the pandemic. This situation made the process much more complicated since I was not sure I would be able to do the fieldwork, including interviews. I was especially worried about interviews in the local communities. I postponed the field trips until a very late stage, hoping the pandemic would be over at some point. Eventually, I could make one key field trip, and I had to do the rest of the interviews online. Fortunately, all my interviewees were extremely patient with me, and we managed to have productive conversations despite the technical difficulties (bad connections, etc.).
Please, tell us about your future plans?
I plan to make an academic career (teaching, research). This is my long-term dream and the main reason I decided to do the PhD. I’m currently in the process of negotiations with several local universities for a teaching position. I also hope to do the postdoc next year.
What would you advise to future doctoral students?
1. Listen to the advice of your supervisors – they know what they are doing.
2. Work on the theoretical part of the dissertation first, very carefully and diligently. If you’ve done your theoretical part well, you will know exactly what questions to ask during interviews, and it will be straightforward to interpret and analyze your results. This does not work in reverse – if you did the data collection but did not ask the right questions, your efforts are largely wasted.
3. Talk to your classmates and to anyone who would listen about your topic. People can point out the weak spots in your reasoning and make suggestions. The earlier you figure out the problems in your hypotheses and conclusions, the better.
4. Do not leave everything until the last moment; write your dissertation chapter by chapter and show them to your supervisor in time.
5. Do not stress out; trust yourself and your supervisor – eventually, everything is possible.
