Sociology in Action: A Student Olympiad Shaping the Future of Social Science in Kazakhstan
On April 22, 2025, the annual Republican Sociology Olympiad took place - an event of great significance for the country’s academic community. This year, the intellectual forum brought together students from across the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; last year, the Olympiad was graciously hosted by the Kazakh National Women’s Pedagogical University.
In a modern society where social processes grow ever more complex and public expectations often conflict, sociology serves as the key to understanding reality. Yet behind every scientific term and theory stand young researchers who are not merely observers of society but its future shapers. The Republican Sociology Olympiad is a unique event that unites students, faculty, and the wider scholarly community in a shared effort to grasp today’s pressing challenges and to find practical solutions.
This is not merely a competition but an intellectual platform where ideas emerge that may form the basis for future research projects, social initiatives, and public policy. The Olympiad gives emerging sociologists the chance to unlock their potential: to work with real-world data, to defend their arguments with rigor, and to develop critical thinking. At a time when there is a heightened demand for high-quality analysis, evidence-based science, and social sensitivity, such events play a strategic role in preparing the next generation of researchers.
Sociology is more than an academic discipline - it is a science that penetrates the very core of social life, seeking to understand how our society is structured, what mechanisms shape individual behavior, and what drives changes in the social fabric. In this sense, it acts as both a mirror of the present and a tool for critically interpreting reality. Each year, the Republican Student Sociology Olympiad gains in importance, becoming a space where young researchers not only showcase their knowledge but also reveal their potential - a stage for the next generation of sociologists to present and debate priority social issues, and to explore the values and approaches of a scientific worldview.
The Importance of the Republican Olympiad
The Olympiad allows us to see the direction of contemporary sociological thought in Kazakhstan and to identify which topics resonate with students - from social inequality and identity to digital transformation and sustainable development. It is not simply a contest but a kind of barometer of future sociologists’ scholarly interests and intellectual maturity, as well as an essential channel for scientific continuity. In this sense, the Olympiad serves as a catalyst for scholarly inquiry, bringing together students, educators, and the research community in the pursuit of understanding and improving society.
It is worth noting the teams’ names, which reflect the trajectory of sociology’s development in Kazakhstan. Teams strive for more mindful, creative, and contemporary concepts. Names such as “Insight,” “QOGAMKEY,” “Sociovibe,” “Sociolight,” and “The Third Eye” underscore a commitment to deep societal analysis, innovation, and the integration of academic knowledge with current social demands. The name “S.O.S - Society Observers Squad” emphasizes the importance of observing and diagnosing social processes, while “Socio-Sherlocki” (Socio-Sherlocks) highlights the need for investigative inquiry and analytical thinking. These naming trends indicate that Kazakhstan’s young sociologists are actively moving toward a new style of scholarship - one that is more open, interdisciplinary, creative, and socially engaged. Symbolically, it is already clear that sociology in Kazakhstan is expanding beyond traditional academic approaches, rethinking its societal role, and updating its language to meet the demands of today’s reality.
Current Student Research Projects According to CIOM
1st Research Project
Institution: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Team “QOGAMKEY”
Project Title: “The Social and Motivational Causes of Evasion of Military Service Among Kazakh Men Aged 18–27”
Team Supervisor: A. B. Shabdenova
The students’ work demonstrates both the relevance and boldness of a topic that touches not only legal but also the moral and social dimensions of contemporary Kazakh society. The study focuses on the deep-seated reasons behind the refusal to fulfill military duty, analyzing this phenomenon not as individual deviance but as a social symptom linked to a crisis of trust, shifting values, and changing collective narratives.
A principal strength of the project is its theoretical foundation - drawing on Lyotard’s “grand narratives,” structural functionalism, and conflict theory to move beyond superficial description and to interpret the phenomenon as reflecting the postmodern erosion of patriotic and normative imperatives. The use of qualitative methods (in-depth interviews, thematic content analysis, and MAXQDA software) enhances the credibility and depth of the analysis.
Critically, however, the small sample—twelve interviews collected via snowball sampling - limits the representativeness of the findings. Nonetheless, the study is theoretically rich and valuable as a qualitative pilot project. Special attention is given to the interplay between social stratification, parental attitudes, and personal safety. The hypotheses confirmed that refusal of service is not only driven by individual motivation but also by broader factors: fear of institutionalized violence (hazing, psychological pressure), lack of trust in the army institution, and the desire of young people to allocate their time rationally.
The study’s conclusion shows maturity: the authors do not reduce the problem to a lack of patriotism but call for systemic reforms - from military infrastructure and security guarantees to a rethinking of patriotic education. The proposed recommendations (information campaigns, alternative service options, engagement with parents) appear realistic and socially sensitive.
Overall, the “QOGAMKEY” team’s work demonstrates a high level of sociological reflexivity, the ability to integrate theory with empirical data, and to draw practice-oriented conclusions. This research makes an important contribution to understanding new forms of civic behavior and identity among contemporary Kazakh youth.
2nd Research Project
Institution: NARXOZ University, Team “Insight”
Team Supervisor: S. S. Serikzhanova
Project Title: “Social Institutions as a Mirror of Corruption: How Perceptions of Corruption Are Formed in Kazakhstan”
This project addresses one of modern Kazakhstan’s most sensitive and systemic issues - the perception and practice of corruption within social institutions. The research convincingly shows that corruption is not merely a legal transgression but a deeply entrenched social phenomenon woven into citizen–state relationships.
The project’s scientific significance lies in moving beyond quantitative indices like the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) to focus on sociological explanations: specifically, how social institutions (family, education, the legal system) legitimize or delegitimize corrupt practices at both micro and macro levels. The use of Durkheim and Merton’s concept of anomie is especially apt. The researchers rightly point out that when public trust in institutions erodes, a “normative vacuum” emerges, making corruption not an exception but a norm. This theoretical framing allows corruption to be interpreted as an indicator of a crisis in social integration and institutional legitimacy.
The hypothesis - that perceptions of corruption in key institutions affect the overall attitude toward corruption in the country - is both logical and methodologically sound. Survey data from 85 respondents provide an initial picture of dominant attitudes and trust levels toward social institutions, though greater validity would require a larger, more stratified sample.
The clearly formulated research tasks, including identifying barriers to institutional anti-corruption efforts, deserve special mention. This focus on obstacles is crucial for applied sociology, as it bridges problem analysis to empirically grounded solutions. The team’s visualization of data and theoretical justification are both academically rigorous and publicly impactful. However, the study leans heavily on descriptive methods and lacks deeper comparative interpretation against international benchmarks. It also misses an exploration of Kazakhstan’s regional differences, which could enrich the analysis. Nevertheless, the “Insight” team demonstrates a mature understanding of corruption as a complex socio-cultural phenomenon embedded in the institutional landscape. Their research provides a strong foundation for further empirical work and the development of anti-corruption strategies aimed at rebuilding trust and normative frameworks under conditions of anomie.
3rd Research Project
Institution: L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Team “Socio-Sherlocki”
Team Supervisor: P. T. Burbaeva
Project Title: “Research on the Nature and Dynamics of Homicides in Kazakhstan”
This team of young researchers presented a timely and in-depth analysis of homicides in Kazakhstan, treating the phenomenon not merely as criminal incidents but as vital indicators of accumulating social problems. Their academic project draws on data from Article 99 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan - “Intentional Homicide.”
The authors rightly emphasize that a murder is not only a breach of the law but a destruction of fundamental social values - life, trust, and security. While the rise in high-profile violent incidents alarms the public, scholarly interest remains limited, and official statistics are often fragmented, overlooking latent crimes.
Using statistical analysis and case-study methods, the team constructed sociodemographic profiles of both perpetrators and victims. One key finding contradicts common stereotypes: men, rather than women, more frequently fall victim to homicide. The typical perpetrator is an unemployed man around forty years old with a secondary or vocational education.
Interestingly, the main motives for homicide proved to be domestic conflicts, jealousy, personal grievances, and alcohol - not primarily economic factors as initially assumed. This underscores the need to view violence in a broader social context - resulting from lost self-control, eroded norms, and insufficient conflict-resolution channels.
The authors also address latent crime, noting that not all homicides are registered in official data, especially in rural and vulnerable communities. Their recommendations include strengthening the prevention of domestic offenses, regulating access to cold weapons, restricting alcohol sales, and expanding educational and career opportunities for youth.
This research not only illuminates the nature of homicide but raises crucial questions: What hidden tensions accumulate in Kazakh society? Why do individuals resort to extreme measures? And what should the state do to prevent tragedies rather than merely record their aftermath? The answers lie not only in criminal law but also in sociology, psychology, social policy, and culture. An interdisciplinary, human-centered approach - exemplified by this team - is precisely what society needs today to advance security, justice, and humanity.
Olympiad Results
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University – QOGAMKEY (PhD, Acting Associate Professor A. B. Shabdenova) – 1st place
- L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University – Socio-Sherlocki (PhD in Sociology, Senior Lecturer P. T. Burbaeva) – 2nd place
- Kazakh National Pedagogical University for Women – Sociovibe (Master of Social Sciences, Senior Lecturer S. J. Imanbayeva) – 2nd place
- NARXOZ University – S.O.S – Society Observers Squad (PhD, Associate Professor S. S. Serikzhanova) – 3rd place
- Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University – The Third Eye (PhD, Senior Lecturer N. A. Orynbekov) – 3rd place
Acknowledgments
The organization and successful execution of the Olympiad were made possible by the generous support and collaboration of partners deeply committed to the advancement of science and student initiatives. Special thanks to:
- The K. N. Burkhanov Scientific and Educational Foundation for strategic support and nurturing the scientific potential of youth;
- Metalphoto.kz Production Company for visual and technical assistance;
- Uruk Eastern Cuisine Restaurant and China Town Chinese Restaurant for their hospitality and contribution to the event’s cultural atmosphere;
- The Public Opinion Research Center (CIOM) for expert guidance and for strengthening the Olympiad’s research base;
- Aziza Garment Manufacturing for unique gifts and support of student creativity.
Thanks to the combined efforts of partners, participants, and organizers, the Republican Olympiad has become not just an event but a space for professional growth, intellectual exploration, and scholarly unity.
Conclusion
Sociology is not about boring charts - it is a living intellect pulsating through every research project. The 2025 Republican Olympiad proved that the future of social science in Kazakhstan is already here: in the creative team names, the sharp topics, the bold hypotheses, and the bright eyes of young sociologists. Who knows - maybe the next Kazakhstani Bourdieu or Goffman is sitting in the audience right now with a notebook and a dream of changing the world.
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