Between ‘info-killers’ and ‘spies’: three strategies for interviewing government officials across Central Asia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Researchers conducting politically sensitive studies in the authoritarian region of Central Asia face significant obstacles beyond government control over knowledge production. These challenges include suspicion of espionage, journalism or being an ‘info-killer’. While some scholarly accounts address the difficulties of accessing government officials in Central Asia, reflections by local scholars on effective interviewing strategies remain scarce. This research note explores these challenges and presents practical strategies for fieldwork based on my PhD dissertation, which involved conducting 25 in-depth interviews with government officials across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from 2019 to 2021. I propose three key strategies to enhance the effectiveness of interviews with officials: leveraging insider positionality, ‘de-ceremonializing’ the interview process and depoliticizing sensitive research topics. Critically, the strategies not only facilitated access to respondents but also ensured ethical integrity and meaningful data collection. This work generates valuable insights for scholars navigating similar environments in Central Asia and beyond.