Dr. Aikokul Arzieva is the Chair and an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and International Development department at the American University of Central Asia. She received her Ph.D. in Anthropology and Sociology of Development from Geneva Graduate Institute IHEID (magna cum laude) (2022, Switzerland), Master of Arts in Sociology and Social Anthropology with specialization in Urban and Global Studies from Central European University (2013, Hungary/Austria), and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from American University of Central Asia (2011, Kyrgyzstan). 

Dr. Arzieva joined AUCA in 2013 as a full-time Instructor in the Sociology department and worked until 2016, later serving as a researcher and teaching assistant at the Geneva Graduate Institute (2016-2021). She was also a researcher and engaged in designing culturally and contextually relevant education at the Royal Academy of Bhutan prior to joining AUCA again in August 2022 as an Assistant Professor.  She was promoted to the position of department chair in August 2023. She has accumulated diverse experience working for various development and humanitarian organizations, such as USAID, Action Contre la Faim, Asian Development Bank, and others.