Erica Marat Joins Central Asian Survey as New Editor

Join us in welcoming Central Asian Survey journal new Editor, Professor Erica Marat. A leading scholar of security, violence, and state–society relations in Central Asia, Erica brings a distinguished record of research and editorial experience to the role. She is a Professor at the College of International Security Affairs of the National Defense University and the author of several influential works, including Transformative Violence: When Routine Cruelty Sparks Historic Mobilization (Oxford University Press, 2024) and the Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Central Asia (co-edited with Rico Isaacs, 2021).

In this short interview, Erica reflects on what inspired her to take on the role, the achievements of the outgoing editor (Professor Rico Isaacs), and her vision for the journal’s future.

What inspired you to apply for the Editor position at Central Asian Survey?

The short answer is that Central Asian Survey shaped me into the scholar I am today, and I want to contribute to its continued success. I have been reading the journal since my undergraduate years in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) in the late 1990s, when it was the only academic outlet devoted fully to the region. Since then, I have been published in its pages and have assigned the journal’s articles to my own students. As an editor, I am excited to support the growth of Central Asian studies and to further expand the journal’s reach.

What have you admired most about the previous editor’s time leading Central Asian Survey?

The journal has been in excellent hands. Professor Rico Isaacs broadened its scope and reach, reflected in the exceptional quality of published articles and the rising number of submissions. The share of contributors from Central Asia and the South Caucasus has also grown. In addition, the journal now hosts Research Notes that explore the particular challenges and nuances of fieldwork in the region. Finally, the expanded book review section elevates scholarship written in languages other than English, further enriching the field.

What directions or themes are you most excited to explore with the journal?

Building on the success of previous editors, I look forward to publishing work that expands our conversations about Central Asia and the South Caucasus. I also hope Central Asian Survey will contribute to global debates about how we approach area studies. I am particularly inspired by Dr. Madeleine Reeves, another former editor, whose vision highlighted how area studies are evolving beyond research confined to state borders and toward diasporas, online communities, and diverse geographic landscapes.