Navigating complex narratives: understanding challenges of Russian-related research in Kazakhstan

The idea for this research note emerged in the aftermath of a survey that we conducted with Kazakhstani experts about their perceptions of the Western and Russian vectors in Kazakhstan's foreign policy. We found that most of our respondents felt uncomfortable and tended to avoid answering questions related to Russia. In this research note, we seek to discuss and explore the challenges that Kazakhstani researchers experience while studying Russia. While doing so, we find that Kazakhstani academics are facing now what we call a wave of new-Sovietism from Russia that not only instils anxieties but also silences scholarly voices in Kazakhstan and beyond. We call for robust academic dialogue to foster understanding of issues faced by academics within and beyond the country. By highlighting these challenges, we aim to enrich discussions on studying Russia and emphasize the importance of safeguarding academic freedom and intellectual diversity in research.