Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi is a poet and academic whose work bridges literature and Kazakh intellectual history. Though born and raised in Europe, her writing and scholarship show a deep affinity with the Kazakh people.
Her early poetry earned attention and acclaim, and during her university studies she began researching the Alash Movement, work that culminated in a PhD completed in Ireland. We recently spoke with her in a short but insightful interview.
TCA: Your academic research focuses on the Alash Party. How did you come to choose this topic while studying in a Western country?
Özgecan: Growing up as a Kazakh in Germany, I was always interested in the formation of my identity and cultural heritage. I studied Political Science at both undergraduate and master’s level, and for my master’s thesis, I explored the process of Kazakh nation-building after independence. I then wanted to delve deeper into the foundations of the modern Kazakh nation, which I believe were significantly shaped by the Alash movement in the early 20th century. In Sociology, there’s a major subfield focused on the historical sociology of nations and nationhood, which I used as a framework to study the Alash movement.
TCA: In developed countries, academic standards are typically very high. What kind of support did your supervisor provide?
Özgecan: My supervisor, Professor Siniša Malešević, is a Full Professor of Comparative Historical Sociology at University College Dublin. He was extremely supportive of my research. His expertise in historical sociology and theories of nationalism gave me the academic guidance I needed. Moreover, Ireland’s own colonial past means that its universities have research profiles that aligned well with my work on the Alash movement.
TCA: Conducting research on the Alash movement from abroad must have presented challenges. How did you overcome them?
Özgecan: It’s important to note that my research was sociological, not purely historical. I wasn’t aiming to discover new archival materials but rather to position the Alash movement within the broader sociological field of nations and nationalism and explore its theoretical implications. That said, I did require primary sources, which I accessed during fieldwork. I connected with local Kazakh scholars who helped me find the necessary materials and books, and I’m very grateful for their support.
TCA: Are Western scholars aware of the Alash intellectuals’ civic ideals and national identity struggles? Has the topic been studied where you lived?
Özgecan: In Ireland, where I was based, the topic hadn’t been studied. However, the Alash movement has been examined by a number of Western scholars. When I began my PhD, several articles and dissertations had already been written in English, many by Kazakh scholars themselves.
TCA: You previously mentioned you’re working on a book. Can you tell us more about it?
Özgecan: Since completing my PhD, I’ve been writing a novel based on my grandparents’ migration from the Altay region in China during the 1930s to Turkey and later the West. The novel is written from a female perspective.
TCA: I’ve read your poems. What inspired your shift from poetry to academic research?
Özgecan: I wrote my first poem at sixteen and haven’t stopped since. There are periods when I write more or less, but I believe poetry will always be a part of my life.
TCA: Do you think Kazakhs living in Europe risk losing their language and ethnic identity?
Özgecan: Since the rise of the internet and social media, young Kazakhs in Europe have increasingly found representation in pop culture, arts, and sports. This visibility is significant, I know it would have helped me when I was younger. Many now follow and enjoy Kazakhstan’s emerging indie music scene.
TCA: What do you believe are the most important qualities for a scholar?
Özgecan: Openness to collaboration is crucial. It allows for the discovery of new insights and helps uncover parts of history that have remained hidden, especially in Kazakhstan. Supporting the next generation of scholars is also vital. I see my own supervisor as a role model in this regard.
TCA: You’re also a mother. How do you balance academic life with family responsibilities?
Özgecan: Would I be asked this question if I were a father, I wonder? Still, I understand why it’s asked, despite formal equality, women often carry the greater burden of caregiving. I’m only able to balance my academic and creative work because my husband believes in the value of what I do. He takes on more caregiving when necessary and supports equal opportunities as much as I do.
TCA: How important is science for a nation striving for progress?
Özgecan: Science is vital, it is the future. In the context of climate change and shifting geopolitical dynamics, science enables nations to imagine new futures. Historical sociology is equally important to understand our colonial past and envision a decolonized future.
TCA: You’ve launched a podcast series on Kazakh culture. What is the aim of this project, and who is your audience?
Özgecan: The podcast, which I co-host with my friend Merey Anas, a psychologist and artist, explores the cultural differences we’ve experienced as Kazakhs raised in Europe and Kazakhstan. We examine social, cultural, and historical themes through our professional lenses as sociologists and psychologists. As artists from interdisciplinary backgrounds, we aim to reach Kazakhs who’ve lived abroad as well as an international audience interested in Kazakh experiences.
