Scientific Seminar and Department Meeting Held at the Department of Sociology and Social Work

On October 19, 2026, the Department of Sociology and Social Work held a scientific seminar and a department meeting dedicated to discussing doctoral dissertation research, enhancing the research publication activity of faculty members, and implementing the department’s indicative plan.

As part of the scientific seminar, the department reviewed research presentations delivered by Aizhan Kalmykbayeva, a final-year doctoral student, and Akbota Kassymova, a graduate of the department, who presented the findings of her dissertation research at her second scientific seminar.

Aizhan Kalmykbayeva delivered a presentation entitled “Critical Reflection and Indigenization of Social Work Education and Practice.” Her academic supervisors are Aigul Mustafina, PhD, Associate Professor at the School of Humanities, Narxoz University, and Marcin Boryczko, PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Social Pedagogy at the University of Gdańsk, Poland.

Akbota Kassymova presented her research entitled “Organ Donation in Kazakhstan: The Social Context of the Research.” Her academic supervisors are Assem Omarova, PhD, and Cathy Stromile Golden, PhD, Professor and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Mississippi, USA.

During the scientific seminar, participants discussed the relevance, scientific novelty, theoretical and practical significance, methodological approaches, and future directions of the presented research. Particular attention was paid to improving research quality and providing recommendations for further development of the doctoral dissertations.

The department meeting focused on enhancing the research publication activity of faculty members and doctoral students, including the preparation of scientific articles for publication in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.

Participants also discussed opportunities for using international scientific and analytical platforms, including ScienceDirect, SciVal, and Leap Space, to access academic literature, analyze research publication indicators, select appropriate scientific journals, and strengthen international research collaboration.

Another important agenda item was the department’s indicative plan for the 2026-2027 academic year. The discussion covered key research performance indicators, the achievement of planned targets, improving the quality of scientific publications, participation in international academic conferences, and further development of the department’s research capacity.

The scientific seminar and department meeting concluded with the identification of key priorities for future research activities aimed at improving research quality, promoting academic cooperation, and strengthening the scientific potential of the Department of Sociology and Social Work.