Saltanat Shoshanova

Saltanat Shoshanova is a PhD Researcher at the University of Regensburg, affiliated with the Institute of Slavic Studies and the Volkswagen Foundation Freigeist project "Light On! Queer Literary Cultures under Socialism" (2024–2027). Her work bridges queer theory, feminist art practices, and decolonial approaches in Central Asia and post-Soviet contexts.

• Education:
  • 2016–2020: MA in Art History in the Global Context, Free University Berlin
  • 2012–2016: BA in Art History, University of Vienna

Shoshanova’s research focuses on queer identities in Central Asian art, decoloniality, and feminist solidarity across geopolitical divides. Her publications and lectures (e.g., at Malmö University, Humboldt University Berlin, and global conferences) explore subversive art, language, and activism in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Her recent articles analyze themes such as:

• Queer cultural memory in Kazakhstan
• Decolonial narratives in post-Soviet art
• LGBTIQ+ activism networks
• Queer-feminist solidarity in transnational contexts
• Eurasian queer perspectives beyond Orientalist frameworks

She co-hosts the X3 Podcast (since 2023), focusing on post-Soviet and queer discourses, and has led projects like "Unit" (2021–2023), which amplifies LGBTIQ+ voices in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.