Exeter academics win grant to lead public policy workshops in Kazakhstan

The workshop aimed at early career researchers in political science, public policy and international relations. The event was hosted by Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan. It was being led by a team of international public policy scholars, Dr Claire Dunlop and Professor Claudio Radaelli from the University of Exeter and Professor Neil Collins from Nazarbayev University.


The workshop explored regulatory governance and policymaking as a challenge of learning. Focussing on how policymakers learn, from whom and when is crucial for the effectiveness and legitimacy of all systems of governance. These questions help to highlight the shortfalls of organisations that are often subject to regulatory reforms.

UK and Kazakhstan partners will produce a key findings document for their institutions’ websites and professional blog sites as an example of international collaboration through partnership. The longer-term benefit of the workshop will be the links that can be made between Exeter and Nazarbayev and the researchers at the workshop.


Dr Claire Dunlop said:“Professors Radaelli, Collins and I are incredibly excited about the research synergies to be explored over the next few days. We are committed to maintaining links with each other and with the future generation of learning in governance scholars’.”


The Newton – Al-Farabi Partnership Programme is financed jointly by the governments of the UK and Kazakhstan and aims to develop existing contacts and build strong, sustainable, systemic relationships in research and innovation. It works with government bodies, research organisations, universities and businesses to support Kazakhstan to achieve its development goals.

Simon Williams, Director of the British Council Kazakhstan, said:“The Newton – Al-Farabi Partnership Programme allows us to use the UK’s strength in research and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of Kazakhstan. I would like to offer my congratulations to the winners of the grant and I wish them all the best for a successful workshop. I hope that this workshop is the start of a long and productive collaboration between the two partner institutions.”

Yerkin Tazabekova, Acting Chair of JSC Science Fund, said:“Participation in large-scale research projects on strategically important themes which encourage Kazakhstani researchers to integrate with the international scientific community was one of the main priorities set out by President Nazarbayev in his message to the people of Kazakhstan.”