yousafzais@cf.ac.uk
Research theme:
DECOLONIZING THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Everything that you dreamed of can be brought to life exactly at the moment when you decide to win.
An important aspect of my work examines entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for decolonization. To delve into this topic, I embarked on fieldwork in Uzbekistan, where I travelled to Tashkent, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Gijduan, Bukhara, Khiva, and the Ferghana Valley. During this period, I collected 31 narratives from entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on how their businesses are being utilized to revive their identity and culture.
In recent years, the global discourse surrounding decolonization efforts has gained significant momentum. As part of this discourse, there has been an increased recognition of the role that entrepreneurship can play in facilitating the decolonization process. While decolonization approaches may vary across different contexts, entrepreneurship has proven to be a potent tool for communities seeking to assert their autonomy and overcome the lingering effects of colonialism.
Through my research, I aim to explore the diverse ways in which entrepreneurship can be employed as a means of decolonization. By examining how entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan are leveraging their businesses to revive and celebrate their cultural heritage, we can gain valuable insights into the potential of entrepreneurship as a transformative force. This research not only contributes to the academic understanding of decolonization but also offers practical implications for practitioners working in this field.
In recent years, the global discourse surrounding decolonization efforts has gained significant momentum. As part of this discourse, there has been an increased recognition of the role that entrepreneurship can play in facilitating the decolonization process. While decolonization approaches may vary across different contexts, entrepreneurship has proven to be a potent tool for communities seeking to assert their autonomy and overcome the lingering effects of colonialism.
Through my research, I aim to explore the diverse ways in which entrepreneurship can be employed as a means of decolonization. By examining how entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan are leveraging their businesses to revive and celebrate their cultural heritage, we can gain valuable insights into the potential of entrepreneurship as a transformative force. This research not only contributes to the academic understanding of decolonization but also offers practical implications for practitioners working in this field.
As we continue to uncover the multifaceted relationship between entrepreneurship and decolonization, we aim to shed light on the ways in which entrepreneurship can empower communities, revitalize cultural identity, and challenge colonial legacies. By understanding and harnessing the potential of entrepreneurship, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable future for marginalized communities around the world.
Working Paper: Entrepreneurship - A Powerful Tool for Decolonization
CONFERENCE PAPER: Yousafzai, S., Aljanova, A., Omran, W. (2023). Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurship: Decolonizing Systems, Empowering Communities in Uzbekistan. International Workshop on Entrepreneurship as Driver of Economic and Social Change: Insights from Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, Tbilisi, Georgia, 2023.
CONFERENCE PAPER: Chaia A., Nurbayeva A., Aljanova N., and Yousafzai S. (2003). Can Entrepreneurship Ignite Kazakh Cultural Resurgence and Identity: Reclamation in the Era of Decolonization? Presented at the the International Workshop on Entrepreneurship as Driver of Economic and Social Change: Insights from Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, Tbilisi, Georgia, 20-23 September 2023.