Keynote Speakers:
Arienne Dwyer, University of Kansas
Alexandre Papas, French National Centre for Scientific Research
Eric Schluessel, George Washington University
Rian Thum, University of Manchester

This workshop is designed to assemble scholars and graduate students with a keen interest in the “Technologies of the Word” in Central Asia. Our primary goal is to bring together researchers who are actively engaged with Chaghatay language materials across diverse academic disciplines. The collective objective is to delve deep into new sources that shed light on the history, literature, and languages of the region, while seeking to transcend conventional disciplinary boundaries and develop new perspectives. 

Reflecting broader interest in decolonizing previous academic approaches in Central Asia, including Xinjiang, many scholars have recently prioritized sources written in Chaghatay for their research. However, the accessibility and preservation challenges surrounding Chaghatay materials mean that they are yet to be thoroughly explored. In light of this, we call on scholars from different disciplines to collaborate in introducing new approaches to finding, preserving, publishing, utilizing, and ultimately mainstreaming new bodies of Chaghatay sources.

At the heart of this workshop, we hope to bring together experts in Chaghatay-related fields, offering Harvard students a unique opportunity to engage, learn from, and connect with these leading professionals.

More details coming soon!