Eliza Isabaeva

Dr. Eliza Isabaeva is a Researcher affiliated with the University of Zurich, specializing in Social Anthropology. Her work focuses on migration, urban change, and the anthropology of the state in post-Soviet Central Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan.

• Education:
  • PhD in Social Anthropology (2017), URPP Asia and Europe, University of Zurich
  • MA in Social Anthropology (2009), Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern
  • BA in Cultural Anthropology (2005), American University in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
• Research Interests: Migration dynamics, informal land squatting, social transformation, and citizen-state relations in urban Central Asia.
• Conference Participation: Active in international conferences like ESCAS, ABRN, and CESS (2011–2018), presenting on topics such as vulnerable urban citizenship and informal political leadership.
• Publications: Contributions to journals like Journal of Social Policy Studies and edited volumes, addressing informal settlements, migration challenges, and property rights.