Kazakhstan has implemented numerous policy reforms to improve its research environment since 1991, experiencing both positive changes and critical challenges. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive investigation of the country’s research environment. Our materials include statistical data, science policy reports, bibliometric data from Scopus, and interview responses. Using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, we analyze the country’s publication capacity, key characteristics, and science funding by the government. We critically review significant policy reforms and conduct interviews with subject matter experts. Our findings suggest there has been an increasing number of publications and growth in citations since joining the Bologna process in 2010, and that there is a high positive correlation between the volume of science funding and publication output, development levels across fields of science, and focus from science on commercialization of science. The challenges relate to publishing in international journals, government financing and commercialization, researcher capacity, scientific areas, and international collaboration. Our contributions to scholarly communication and science policy are two-fold. First, we present the relationship between several factors/policies and the research environment. Second, we reveal the main challenges Kazakhstan and its academic community have experienced which can be considered by stakeholders, including the government, academic institutions, researchers, and other developing countries.

The growth of the Higher Education and Science (HES) sector is positively associated with its research productivity and has a high potential in emerging countries. To explore such research productivity, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of the scientific literature from Kazakhstan. Our methods included descriptive analysis, network analysis, and author-based productivity analysis (by Lotka’s law) of 23,371 articles from Scopus, published during 1991–2020, and across 25 subject areas. The results of the descriptive analysis showed a substantial increase in the number of and citations to the literature since 2011 in almost all subject areas. However, the network analysis found that research in natural sciences was more developed in topical relationships and international collaborations than research in arts and humanities, social, and medical sciences. The Lotka’s law application revealed that the overall scientific literature in Kazakhstan did not reach its necessary stage of maturity. Additionally, some subject areas demonstrated greater contribution to the overall knowledge base, while others were less productive or lagging in their development. Our findings, useful for researchers and policymakers in emerging countries, can be exemplary in understanding the results of policy reforms aimed to improve the HES sector in emerging countries.

Higher education and science (HES) is one of the key drivers of a country’s economic growth. In this study, we examine national projects and research capacity in HES in Kazakhstan from 2014 to 2024. We conducted a content review and scientometric analysis with network and temporal visualizations. Our data sources included policy documents, statistical reports, and the Scopus database. Our findings suggest that, while Kazakhstan aligns with global trends in the field (e.g., digitalization, scientometrics monitoring, and internationalization), these are achieved through a state-led, policy-driven approach shaped by its post-Soviet context. Additionally, we note a dual structure in Kazakhstan’s HES sector, characterized by a strong top-down direction and increasing institutional engagement. In terms of the thematic trends from the temporal analysis, the country experienced a three-staged evolution: foundational reforms and system modernization (2014–2017), capacity building and evaluation (2018–2021), and, most recently, strategic expansion, inclusivity, and globalization (2022–2024). Throughout the analyzed period, low R&D intensity, disciplinary imbalances, and structural barriers still undermine desired development efforts in HES. The analyzed case of Kazakhstan can serve as “lessons learned” for policymakers and researchers working in the science evaluation and scholarly communication area in similar emerging or transition countries.

This paper examines the transformation of higher education and science (HES) in Kazakhstan based on a systematic review of the literature. Drawing on an analysis of 62 peer-reviewed articles, it explores how initiatives such as Digital Kazakhstan, the Bolashak scholarship, and higher-education reforms have influenced the effectiveness of institutions and scientific developments. Government efforts have been made toward achieving a major transformation in HES to create a different environment and system. Our analysis identifies key trends, structural barriers and drivers, and incentive factors in the development of the sector, including problems related to financing, bureaucratic fragmentation, and international cooperation. The results reveal that reforms have been focused on the modernization of pedagogy, trilingual policies, the integration of digital technologies, and internationalization. This paper highlights the key role of government initiatives targeted toward policy changes to ensure transparency, innovativeness, and inclusivity in HES. This work will provide a valuable resource for policy makers, academic leaders, and international stakeholders interested in emerging economies.

This article presents a comprehensive survey-based analysis of the current research landscape within Kazakhstan’s academic community. Drawing from responses collected from 265 researchers and academics across various universities, the study unveils insightful demographic profiles and research attributes across four distinct subject areas. While encompassing a broad spectrum of disciplines, particular attention is directed towards the characteristics and trends within the physical sciences domain. The survey explores Kazakhstan’s physical sciences research landscape, revealing a focus on international collaborations, particularly with Western academics, to enhance research visibility. Challenges include limited emphasis on partnerships with governmental or nongovernmental organizations, adverse working conditions, and disparities in resource access, notably in highperformance computing facilities. This research provides a detailed understanding of the current state of academic research within the country and offers a nuanced perspective that can inform strategic planning, policy formulation, and future research endeavors.