AIA Fellow Karolina Kluczweskas research deals with the geopolitical reorientations taking place in post-Soviet Eurasia, particularly concerning the impact of massive shifts in Russia on Central Asia. It investigates actors and rationalities of the ongoing geopolitical reorientation, as well as formal and informal practices characterising this process. In her presentation at the AIA colloquium she focused on one particular aspect, namely the methodology of conducting social science research in this geopolitical space. Karolina presented a draft paper which will result in an edited volume published with Bristol University Press, titled “Cooperative Research: Conceptualising, Reflecting and Debating Socially Engaged Inquiry”, which will be co-edited with Philipp Lottholz from the University of Marburg. Philipp will also be giving a presentation at the Academy beginning of July. Karolina explored the prospects for cooperative research in post-Soviet Eurasia. She especially highlighted the type of socially engaged inquiry that is conducted in dialogue with local communities and follows the ethos of reciprocity with research participants. By reflecting on examples from her own fieldwork over the last years, she discussed variations of cooperative research in the region, as well as ethical aspects and other dilemmas that emerge in the process.