Visiting Researcher at Nazarbayev University: A Journey of Academic and Cultural Discovery
Over the past few weeks, Dr. Rana Zayadin had the pleasure of serving as a visiting researcher at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan. This enriching experience has been professionally rewarding and culturally enlightening, offering invaluable insights into Kazakhstan’s post-Soviet context and its evolving entrepreneurial landscape.
During her stay, Dr. Zayadin engaged in several research collaborations, paper submissions, and funding applications, as well as the initiation of a joint PhD supervision. These outcomes reflect the depth and productivity of this academic exchange.
Highlight Event: Seminar on Entrepreneurial Identity
One of the visit’s key highlights was the seminar titled:
“Entrepreneurship: Career Move or Identity Transformation?”
In this thought-provoking session, Dr. Zayadin explored the inner journeys scientists face as they transition from academia to the startup world. The seminar, hosted by the Nazarbayev University Research Center for Entrepreneurship (NURCE), shed light on the narrative identity, legitimacy dynamics, and liminality theory behind this shift.
🔍 Seminar Highlights:
- Balancing scientific credibility with entrepreneurial ambition
- Understanding the fluid, evolving nature of entrepreneurial identity
- Unpacking the “messy middle” of transitioning careers
- Insights valuable to anyone passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, or higher education
The seminar concluded with vibrant discussions among participants from a range of disciplines.
Final Presentation & Future Directions
As the visit concludes, Dr. Zayadin is scheduled to present a co-authored paper with Professor Lynn Martin as part of the NURCE seminar series. This marks a fitting finale to a visit filled with academic exchange and inspiring dialogue.
This remarkable opportunity has opened up promising avenues for future research, and Dr. Zayadin looks forward to continuing the collaborations it has sparked. She extends her sincere thanks to Professor Shumaila Yousafzai for the generous invitation and for facilitating this visit, and to Professor Vassiliki Bamiatzi for her valued support throughout.
With meaningful partnerships now underway, this visit represents a milestone in fostering cross-cultural academic engagement and advancing the field of entrepreneurship research.
