Alun Thomas

Alun Thomas is an Associate Professor of Eurasian Studies at the University of Staffordshire, affiliated with the Health, Education, Policing and Sciences School. He holds a Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy and is a member of organizations like BASEES and CESS. His research focuses on Soviet history, Central Asian politics, nomadism, border-making, and imperialism.

Education: PhD in Modern History (University of Sheffield, 2015), MA (Distinction) in Modern History (University of Sheffield, 2011), BA (First Class) in Russian and Politics (University of Sheffield, 2009).

Research interests include contemporary Central Asian affairs, Soviet state-building, and the socio-economic impact of nomadism. He has conducted extensive archival work in Moscow, Almaty, and Bishkek. His monograph Nomads and Soviet Rule: Central Asia under Lenin and Stalin (2018) won the Alexander Nove Prize. Recent work includes the Ab Imperio Prize-winning article on nomadism and border-making.

Teaching responsibilities include leading the International Studies MA program (covering History, Relations, and Security) and modules on Russian security, international history, and MoD-specific courses. He also oversees partnerships with the UK Ministry of Defence for CPD programs.

Grants and projects include an AHRC Student Fellowship for his PhD and contributions to the MoD’s Global Strategic Trends report on Central Asia. He co-leads the Peripheral Histories? digital project and serves on BASEES committees.