Social Research Center Website

One of AUCA’s primary functions is to generate new knowledge that benefits the surrounding community and all of Central Asia. Get involved in the projects and frequent roundtable discussions of the Social Research Center (SRC) and get close to the leading edge of social policy research and debate in the region. The SRC aims to support and strengthen the research and analytical capacity of AUCA faculty and students in order to produce high quality research and publications, organize interdisciplinary studies and scholarly conferences, promote networking, and expand research opportunities both for faculty and students. The SRC also aims to improve and contribute to the policymaking process in Kyrgyzstan by carrying out public policy analysis; proposing alternative solutions to current problems; fostering substantive policy dialogue between government, academia, civil society, business, and the public; as well as spreading ideas and practices of good governance, market economy, and social cohesion.

Target areas of research include social development, international relations, immigration, economic development, regional integration, and youth. To explore these areas from all perspectives, the SRC regularly hosts visiting research scholars, guest speakers, forums, roundtables, workshops, online discussions, conferences, and videoconferences.

The Open Society Institute, the Soros Foundation, the Aga Khan Foundation, USAID, UNICEF, DFID, the U.S. Embassy-Kyrgyz Republic, Winrock International, and the Academy for Educational Development have all partnered with the SRC to help advance social research in the Kyrgyz Republic.

“The aim of the University is not only to transfer knowledge, but to create new knowledge, to find new solutions. This is the benefit of having an active research center like the SRC at AUCA; it is closely tied to AUCA’s mission and greatly contributes to the learning environment here. We also have visiting research fellows from the United States and Europe, who teach and work with students. And we try to involve students in research, especially with data gathering.” Aida Alymbaeva, director of the SRC