The Career Development Experience of Young Academics in Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT

The article presents a sociological analysis of how young researchers in Kazakhstan have been able to develop their academic careers. We obtained a holistic overview of the status and career success of young academics based on data from a survey (consisting of personal formalized interviews as well as in-depth interviews), including an understanding of how young researchers are able to succeed and contribute to the development of academia in the country and what obstacles they encounter in this process. Particular attention is paid to the welfare status, life goals and values, and professional context in which early-career researchers work today, as well as to the modern challenges, risks, opportunities, and motivations that determine and shape their career paths in Kazakh academia.

Acknowledgements

The support received in carrying out this research project from the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan—Elbasy is gratefully acknowledged.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. For more details, see: I. Chernykh, “Programma PhD v Kazakhstane: zatyanuvshiysya tranzit ili dogonyayushcheye razvitiye?” [PhD Programs in Kazakhstan: Are They in a Protracted Transitional Phase, or Are They Playing Catch-Up?], https://cabar.asia/ru/irina-chernyh-programma-phd-v-kazahstane-zatyanuvshijsya-tranzit-ili-dogonyayushhee-razvitie/

2. Website of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Statistics Committee. Official Statistical Information. Operational Data (Express Information, Newsletters). Science and Innovations. Number of Organizations Conducting Research and Development, http://stat.gov.kz/faces/wcnav_externalId/homeNumbersScience?_afrLoop=313170403467893# percent40 percent3F_afrLoop percent3D313170403467893 percent26_adf.ctrl-state percent3Dmf3t9bfdm_34

3. Data from the National Report on Academia, Astana and Almaty, 2017, http://sc.edu.gov.kz/storage/34/343fbdce9dfa46a15d7dcfacb7f58c68.pdf

4. Calculated at the official exchange rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of April 19, 2018 (USD 1 = KZT 327.80).

5. We were able to perform a qualitative analysis of the study by conducting in-depth interviews of 20 people under the age of 40 working in research and teaching positions at academic institutions and universities in Kazakhstan.