Abstract:

The panel will address retrospectively the Zhelezka Summer school, which took place in August 2023 and covered over 6 000 km by rail in Central Asia. During the travel researchers from…countries, met spontaneously different people (not selected as “respondents”) from 3 – Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazachstan (4?) countries, travelling in the train, and talked with them. The research revealed not only the groups travelling in the train, but their attitudes to the neighbors, the region, the foreigners, tourists, as well their everyday experiences. This insider – outsider spontaneous and accidental communication, was very interesting and challenging to the research methodology. The panel will question what are the benefits of such a communication – methodologically and as related to gathering new information. Does such a nonsedatory school methodologically contribute to regional or area studies? If yes, what are its contributions?

Following the insights of the participants we will show the case studies, methods and experiences of the 16 Summer School Participants.