Our Principles
Independent inquiry
We are driven by our own questions about Kazakhstan’s governance, society, and public policy. We seek to make sense of complex issues independently and develop our own evidence-based understanding.
Research with guidance
We believe young researchers can produce meaningful work when supported by experienced mentors. Our projects go through several rounds of expert review and methodological guidance.
Team-based research
We believe research becomes stronger when done together, especially for young researchers. By working as a team, we can complement each other’s skills and perspectives, take on larger questions, and support one another through the research process.
Transparency and traceability
We aim to make our research process clear and accountable by openly sharing our data sources, methodology, and limitations wherever possible.
Practical relevance
We aim to produce insights that have potential to contribute to local discourse, inform public understanding, and support better policy thinking in Kazakhstan.
Accessibility
We believe research should be understandable and useful beyond expert circles. We aim to make our work accessible to anyone seeking to better understand Kazakhstan.
Initiative
We make the most of the resources, opportunities, networks, and knowledge available to us. We believe in starting with what we have and proactively building the capacities we need.
Experimentation
We are open to testing new formats, methods, topics, and ideas. INSIDE Kazakhstan is a space where young people can experiment with how knowledge is produced and communicated.
Continuous growth
We treat every project as a learning process and embrace feedback. Our goal is not only to produce research outputs, but also to help young people grow as researchers, writers, analysts, and citizens.
Meet Our Team
Aliya Mustafina
Founding Editor-in-Chief
Political Science and International Relations '26
Nazarbayev
University
Researchers
Zarina Baidalinova
Graduate School of Public Policy '26
Nazarbayev University
Kristina Ryabova
Human Rights and Sustainability MS '26
OSCE Academy in
Bishkek
Aruzhan Bolat
Political Science and International Relations MS '27
Nazarbayev
University
Saltanat Tuleuova
Political Science and International Relations '25
Nazarbayev
University
Aziza Laichinova
Political Science and International Relations '26
Nazarbayev
University
Adiya Yessengali
Sociology '26
Nazarbayev University
Symbat Maldybayeva
Political Science and International Relations '27
Nazarbayev
University
Aldiyar Ramazanov
Economics '27
Nazarbayev University
Dilnaz Sagingaliyeva
Political Science and International Relations '27
Nazarbayev
University
Aruzhan Tatvayeva
Political Science and International Relations '27
Nazarbayev
University
Amina Bayasheva
Political Science and International Relations '28
Nazarbayev
University
Aiym Kuandyk
Economics '28
Nazarbayev University
Coordination & Development
Aruzhan Seidaliyeva
Political Science and International Relations MS '26
Nazarbayev
University
Ramina Orazbayeva
International Studies '27
Korea University
Nurbike Akhmetzhan
Political Science and International Relations '28
Nazarbayev
University
Amina Nurgali
Communication '28
Xiamen University Malaysia
Aliya Sadvakasova
Political Science and International Relations '28
Nazarbayev
University
Editorial Adviser
Dr. Alexei Trochev
Associate professor at Nazarbayev University
School of
Sciences and Humanities, Political Science and International
Relations Department
Join Our Team
We are always looking for passionate individuals to contribute to our research, operations, and editorial processes. If you want to join our team, apply below.
Open Recruitment Form