Michael J. Bechtel

Michael J. Bechtel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Philosophy and Religious Studies at Nazarbayev University. He teaches courses on Eurasian history from the Mongol Empire to the 20th century, with a focus on state formation, ethnic/national identities, and empire dynamics.

His research examines the role of Ögödei Qa’an in early Mongol state formation, supported by a PhD from the University of Chicago. He has developed courses like Age of the Dragon Throne and The Mongol Empire that emphasize Eurasian interconnectedness.

Bechtel has presented public courses through the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (Chicago) and participates in academic podcasts discussing the social revolution of Chinggis Khan.