Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
International and comparative education
Gender
Teacher Education
Curriculum
Identities
Education and Peacebuilding
Personal profile
I am a Full Professor of Education and Director of the Central Asian Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Transformation (CARCEIT) at the Graduate School of Education, Nazarbayev University, with over two decades of international experience in research leadership, strategic planning, and doctoral education. I have built and led research ecosystems across the UK, Central Asia, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, securing over $5.3 million in competitive grants from UK research councils (AHRC, ESRC, EPSRC), major development agencies (DFID/FCDO, AusAID, SIDA), and multilateral organisations (UNICEF). My leadership includes directing multi-country research programmes, establishing research quality and capability-building systems, mentoring early-career researchers, and supervising 12 PhD students to completion. Previously holding academic appointments at the University of Sussex, Northumbria University, and University of Lancashire, I bring a proven record in strengthening research cultures, developing doctoral programmes, and fostering regional and international partnerships.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Education, DPhil, Curriculum and learners' identities: A case study of Pakistan, University of Sussex
Award Date: Jul 17 2008
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Navigating the Early Years: A Qualitative Study on Job Satisfaction of Novice Science and Mathematics Teachers in Kazakhstan
Sharimova, A. (PI), Durrani, N. (Co-PI) & Wilson, E. (Other participant)
2/4/25 → 12/31/27
Project: FDCRGP
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Exploring the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) university graduates’ early career experiences and transition to employment
Durrani, N. (PI), Kuzhabekova, A. (Co-PI) & Almukhambetova, A. (Co-PI)
7/1/22 → 12/31/24
Project: Government
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Value creation within Kazakhstan's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Towards an Understanding of Informal and Formal Entrepreneurs
Yousafzai, S. (PI), Akemu, A. (Co-PI), Rakshit, A. (Co-PI), Durrani, N. (Co-PI), Bissenova, A. (Co-PI), Nurbayeva, A. (Other Faculty/Researcher), Lipovka, A. (Other Faculty/Researcher), Henry, C. (Other Faculty/Researcher), Bhartiya, T. (Other participant), Saeed, S. (Other Faculty/Researcher), Fayolle, A. (Other Faculty/Researcher), Cornelissen, J. (Other Faculty/Researcher) & Meyrbayev, B. (Co-PI)
1/1/22 → 12/10/24
Project: CRP
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Policy enactment of mainstreaming gender equality in higher education and civil service in Kazakhstan
Kataeva, Z. (PI), Durrani, N. (Co-PI), Shakirova, S. (Co-PI), Shedenova, N. (Co-PI), Apergenova, R. (Co-PI) & Sharipova, D. (Other Faculty/Researcher)
1/1/21 → 12/31/24
Project: CRP
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Equitable access to education in the time of COVID 19 in Kazakhstan: experiences, outcomes, challenges and possibilities
Durrani, N. (PI), Helmer, J. (Co-PI), Polat, F. (Co-PI), Akhmetova, S. (Co-PI), Qanay, G. (Postdoctoral scholar (PhD degree holder)), Shakirova, S. (Co-PI) & Bizhigitova, E. (Other participant)
1/1/21 → 12/31/24
Project: CRP
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Amplifying young voices through visual methods: reflections on using body mapping to capture student experiences during school closure
Helmer, J., Durrani, N., Sharimova, A., Karimova, N. & Serkebayeva, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: International Journal of Social Research Methodology: Theory and Practice.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
A Multi-Layered Socio-Ecological Framework for Investigating Teacher Well-Being: Key Predictors and Protective Factors
Durrani, N. & Makhmetova, Z., Feb 2025, In: Sustainability (Switzerland). 17, 3, 900.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access4 Citations (SciVal) -
Conclusion: Lessons learned and pathways to the future
Kuzhabekova, A., Durrani, N. & Kataeva, Z., Jan 31 2025, Education and Gender in Central Asia. Kuzhabekova, A., Durrani, N. & Kataeva, Z. (eds.). 1 ed. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Vol. 1. p. 271 280 p. (Education and Gender).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
Open Access -
Exploring the experiences of doctoral student mothers: A comparative study of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Tabaeva, A. & Durrani, N., Jan 31 2025, Gender and Education in Central Asia. Kuzhabekova, A., Durrani, N. & Kataeva, Z. (eds.). 1 ed. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Vol. 1. p. 171 197 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Exploring the Experiences of Doctoral Student Mothers: A Comparative Study of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Tabaeva, A. & Durrani, N., 2025, Palgrave Studies in Gender and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, p. 171-197 27 p. (Palgrave Studies in Gender and Education; vol. Part F33).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus)