Assistant Professor
Dr. Jessica Neafie is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan. Dr. Neafie’s research focuses on various issues, including (1) the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), (2) the interactions between society and Multinational Corporations (MNCs), and (3) the impacts of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on Developing and Emerging Economies on manufacturing, extraction, infrastructure and digital markets.
Her current research is funded by a Faculty Development and Research Grant from Nazarbayev University, in which she is performing surveys on public opinion of Chinese Investment through the BRI in Central Asia. Other current research projects include an analysis of markets and public policy—including digital banking and oil extraction—and surveys on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by corporations in Kazakhstan. She has authored peer-reviewed articles for Politikon and International Politics. Prior to her hiring at Nazarbayev University, Dr. Neafie finished her Ph.D. at the University of Oregon (USA) in 2020 and served as a Non-Tenure Assistant Professor at Western Oregon University. Dr. Neafie also has an M.A. in Climate Science and Policy from Columbia University (2012), an M.A. in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Westminster (U.K., 2009) and a B.A. in Asian Studies and Political Science from the University of Florida (2003).