On November 14, 2024, Dr. Botagoz Ispambetova from Nazarbayev University’s Graduate School of Education delivered a seminar: "Institutionalization of Human Subject Protection in Research: A Case Study of One Accelerated University in Kazakhstan" focusing on the adoption and implementation of the Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC) policy at NU.
Dr. Ispambetova’s presentation examined the motivations and processes behind NU’s adoption of the IREC policy, which follows international standards in a unique non-Western context. She explored the three stages of IREC policy implementation—Normative, Regulative, and Cultural-Cognitive—and highlighted how the policy has been internalized to enhance research capacity at NU and across Kazakhstan.
The findings revealed the critical drivers of policy adoption, such as legitimacy and lesson-drawing, and provided actionable recommendations for higher education institutions in similar contexts. Dr. Ispambetova emphasized the role of local students and cultural representatives in the internalization process, offering valuable insights for universities aiming to adopt and adapt similar policies.
To learn more about this research and its practical implications, you can watch the full seminar recording below
