Staff › Dr Balihar Sanghera

Sanghera

Director of Studies for Social Sciences
Lecturer in Sociology
Email B.S.Sanghera@kent.ac.uk
Tel

01634 888915 - Medway

Research

General research interests

My main interests are political economy, ethics, and studies on Kyrgyzstan. I examine how moral sentiments, judgements and responsibilities shape and are shaped by economic and social structures and institutions. In particular my research explores how class, inequalities and poverty affect everyday morality and politics.

My research projects focus on the 'moral economy' in Kyrgyzstan, and on philanthropy and social class in the UK.

  • First, I discuss how Kyrgyzstanis understand the ‘transition’ to a market economy, the widespread poverty and inequality in society, their ultimate concerns and commitments, their everyday politics, and their mixed emotions and feelings at the commodification of society and the continuity of the soviet legacy.
  • Second, I investigate how individuals of working and middle class backgrounds morally frame their donations to unknown others and to worthy causes, and how individuals are reflexive of their situation so that ethics can be class-neutral.

Before joining the School in 2004, I was a visiting lecturer at the Sociology Department, Novosibirsk State University, Russia (2000-02), and at the Sociology Department, American University - Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan (2002-04). I am still involved with the Open Society Institute, Budapest to develop higher education in post-Soviet countries.

Prior to my interest in post-communism and philanthropy, my research focused on the social embeddedness of markets in advanced industrialised societies. I completed my doctoral thesis on fruit and vegetable market traders and marketplaces in West Midlands, at the Sociology Department, Lancaster University, UK. Then I became a research fellow at the University of Central England (re-named Birmingham City University, UK) to investigate ethnic minority restaurant businesses in Birmingham, UK.

Recent, Current and Future Research

I have completed three research projects in Kyrgyzstan, and am involved in two others.

  • Kyrgyzstani Political Economy: moral aspects of the social and economic transformation (with Elmira Satybaldieva, completed in December 2004): it examines how since the ‘transition’ to a market economy, Kyrgyzstanis have had to negotiate the shifting demands of the market, family, community and the state as they strive to attain a socially dignified existence. The study evaluates the boundaries of the market sphere, assesses its limits, and judges its liberating and destructive effects on other social spheres.
  • Kyrgyzstani Moral Economy: an investigation into professional ethics (with Aibek Ilyasov, completed in May 2006): it explores the nature of professionalism in Kyrgyzstan after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In particular, the study examines to what extent professional ethics, commitment and identity have developed, allowing professionals to resist corruption.
  • Families and Friendship: an investigation into ethics, emotions and poverty in Kyrgyzstan (with Mehrigiul Ablezova and Aisalkyn Botoeva, completed in December 2008): it investigates how poverty, human emotions and morality shape family responsibilities, inter-household practices and friendship. The project focuses on how social practices and relationships relate to human concerns, commitments and well-being.
  • Resistance and Protests in Kyrgyzstan: Emotional and Moral Aspects of Politics (with Emil Juraev and Burul Usmanalieva, started in June 2007): it examines everyday forms of resistance of Kyrgyzstani subordinated, marginalised and disadvantaged groups, who seek either to re-establish lost rights, status and norms, or to assert new claims since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
  • The Moral Economy of Charitable Giving: Working and Middle Class Philanthropy in the UK (started in April 2009): it aims to investigate how individuals of working and middle class backgrounds morally frame their donations to unknown others and worthy causes and make judgements about what and to whom to give, and what moral resources, traditions and rules they draw upon in reaching their evaluation about giving.

In the future, I would like to pursue a project on the ethics of everyday practices, examining issues of dignity, recognition, hope and ethical judgements.

 

Research Projects and Funding
  • January-April 2009, British Academy research grant, The Moral Aspects of Economic Survival and Political Resistance in Kyrgyzstan (7,410 GBP). Balihar Sanghera (principal investigator).
  • April 2008-13, ESRC research grant for Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy (497,679 GBP). John Mohan (principal investigator), Iain Wilkinson, Balihar Sanghera and Matthew Bond (co-investigators), and Beth Breeze (research assistant).
  • June 2007-08, Resistance and Protests in Kyrgyzstan: Emotional and Moral Aspects of Politics (self-funded). Balihar Sanghera (principal investigator), Emil Juraev (co-investigator) and Burul Usmanalieva (research assistant).
  • May 2007-08, Families and Friendship: an investigation into ethics, emotions and poverty in Kyrgyzstan (University of Kent Social Science Faculty Research Grant, 665 GBP). Balihar Sanghera (principal investigator) and Mehrigiul Ablezova and Aisalkyn Botoeva (research assistants).
  • May 2006-07, Kyrgyzstani Moral Economy: an investigation into professional ethics (University of Kent Social Science Faculty Research Grant, 744 GBP). Balihar Sanghera (principal investigator) and Aibek Ilyasov (research assistant).
  • January-May 2004, Kyrgyzstani Political Economy: moral aspects of the social and economic transformation (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Security, Kyrgyzstan and the American University-Central Asia Research Grant, 800 USD). Balihar Sanghera (principal investigator) and Elmira Satybaldieva (research assistant).
  • January 1998-August 1999, ESRC research grant Facilitating Break-Out: Ethnic Minority Businesses in Inner-Cities (36,250 GBP). Monder Ram (principal investigator) and Balihar Sanghera and Tahir Abbas (research assistants).
Research Supervision

I am keen to supervise any students whose interests relate to any of the above topics. Currently supervising a student on globalisation and Trinidad

 

Publications

Books

2007, Theorising Social Change in Post-Soviet Countries: Critical Approaches, Peter Lang, Oxford. ISBN: 978-3-03910-329-4. Balihar Sanghera, Sarah Amsler and Tatiana Yarkova (editors).

Articles in Refereed Journals
  • In progress: ‘Charitable Acts, Moral Judgements and Class Sentiments: An Investigation into UK Philanthropy’ - Balihar Sanghera
  • In progress: ‘Subsistence Rights and Everyday Politics: An Investigation into Land Seizures and Squatting in Kyrgyzstan’ – Balihar Sanghera, Emil Juraev and Burul Usmanalieva
  • Submitted: ‘Everyday Morality in Families and a Critique of Social Capital: An Investigation into Moral Judgements, Responsibilities and Sentiments in Kyrgyzstani Households’ - Balihar Sanghera, Mehrigiul Ablezova and Aisalkyn Botoeva
  • Submitted: ‘Everyday Morality, Injustice and Family Relatedness: An Investigation into Family Responsibilities and Foster Care (Baguuga Beruu) in Kyrgyzstani Households’ - Balihar Sanghera, Mehrigiul Ablezova and Aisalkyn Botoeva
  • 2009, ‘Moral Economy and Development Economics’, Cambridge Journal of Economics, 33.5: 871-873. Balihar Sanghera, Wendy Olsen and Fergus Lyon (each 33% and innovative & supportive contribution).
  • 2009, ‘Moral sentiments and economic practices in Kyrgyzstan: the internal embeddedness of a moral economy’, Cambridge Journal of Economics, 33.5: 921-935. Balihar Sanghera (50% and innovative contribution) and Elmira Satybaldieva (50% and supportive contribution).
  • 2008, ‘Moral sentiments and professionalism in post-soviet Kyrgyzstan: understanding professional practices and ethics’, International Sociology, Vol. 23.3: 447-467. Balihar Sanghera (50% and innovative contribution) and Aibek Ilyasov (50% and supportive contribution).
  • 2008, ‘The social embeddedness of professions in Kyrgyzstan: an investigation into professionalism, institutions and emotions’, Europe-Asia Studies, accepted for Vol. 60.4: 643-661. Balihar Sanghera (50% and innovative contribution) and Aibek Ilyasov (50% and supportive contribution).
  • 2006, ‘Understanding the moral economy of post-soviet societies: an investigation into moral sentiments and material interests in Kyrgyzstan’, International Social Science Journal, Volume 58, Issue 190: 715-727. Balihar Sanghera (34% and innovative contribution), Aibek Ilyasov and Elmira Satybaldieva (each 33% and supportive contribution).
  • 2003, ‘Sociology, imperialism and educational capital: the need to become a social scientist’, AUCA Academic Review (Kyrgyzstan), 1: 93-97. Sole Author.
  • 2002, ‘Microbusiness, household and class dynamics: the embedding of minority ethnic commerce’, The Sociological Review, 50.2: 241-257. Sole Author.
  • 2002, ‘Ethnic Minority Enterprise in its Urban Context: South Asian Restaurants in Birmingham’, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 26.1: 24-40. Monder Ram, Trevor Jones, Tahir Abbas and Balihar Sanghera (each 25% and innovative & supportive contribution).
  • 2001, ‘”Apprentice Entrepreneurs”? Ethnic Minority Workers in the Independent Restaurant Sector’, Work, Employment and Society, 15.2: 353-372. Monder Ram, Tahir Abbas, Balihar Sanghera, Gerald Barlow and Trevor Jones (each 20% and innovative & supportive contribution).
  • 2001, ‘Making the Link: Households and Small Business Activity in a Multi-Ethnic Context’, Community, Work & Family, 4.3: 327-334. Monder Ram, Tahir Abbas, Balihar Sanghera, Gerald Barlow and Trevor Jones (each 20% and innovative & supportive contribution).
  • 2001, ‘A Critique of Neo-classical Theory of Consumption: some alternative institutional theories’, Economic Education Journal, 4: 21-27 (Russia, in Russian). Sole Author.
  • 2000, ‘Ethnic Minority Business in Comparative Perspective: The Case of the Independent Restaurant Sector’, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 26.3: 495-510. Monder Ram, Tahir Abbas, Balihar Sanghera, Gerald Barlow and Trevor Jones (each 20% and innovative & supportive contribution).
  • 2000, ‘Training and Ethnic Minority Firms: The case of the independent restaurant sector’, Education and Training, 42.4/5: 334-341. Monder Ram, Tahir Abbas, Balihar Sanghera, Gerald Barlow and Trevor Jones (each 20% and innovative & supportive contribution).
  • 2000, ‘Currying favour with the locals: Balti-owners and Business enclaves’, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour Research, 6.1: 41-55. Monder Ram, Tahir Abbas, Balihar Sanghera and Chris Mullins (each 25% innovative & supportive contribution).
Book Chapters
  • 2007, ‘Theorising Morality and Economic Behaviour in Kyrgyzstan: Some Issues of Professional Practices’, in Balihar Sanghera, Sarah Amsler and Tatiana Yarkova (eds), Theorising Social Change in Post-Soviet Countries: Critical Approaches, Peter Lang, Oxford, pp.337-362. Balihar Sanghera (50% and innovative contribution) and Aibek Ilyasov (50% and supportive contribution).
  • 2007, ‘Introduction: Post-Soviet Social Science: Reaching Beyond Neoliberalism and Neoconservatism’, in Balihar Sanghera, Sarah Amsler and Tatiana Yarkova (eds), Theorising Social Change in Post-Soviet Countries: Critical Approaches, Peter Lang, Oxford, pp. 11-19. (50% and innovative contribution) and Sarah Amsler (50% and innovative contribution).
  • 2003, ‘After the cultural turn, a return to the moral economy’, in Carol Harrington, Ayman Salem and Tamara Zurabishvili (eds), After Communism: Critical Perspectives on Society and Sociology, Peter Lang, Oxford, pp.181-197. ISBN: 3-03910-141-2. Sole Author.
Working Papers
  • 2004, Kyrgyz Political Economy: moral reflections on the transformations of the society, Working Report, Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Kyrgyzstan. Balihar Sanghera (50% and innovative contribution) and Elmira Satybaldieva (50% and supportive contribution).
  • 2004, Neutrality of Markets, Microbusinesses and Ethnicity: a question of method, Working Paper 11, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Central England, Birmingham, UK. Sole Author.
  • 1999, Microbusiness, Household and Class Dynamics: not entrepreneurial, just ‘making out’, Working Paper 2, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Central England, Birmingham, UK. Sole Author.

Professional Activities

I participate in the development of research skills and higher education in Central Asia through my collaboration with the Central Asian Research and Teaching Initiative (CARTI) programme, sponsored by the Open Society Institute (OSI), Budapest. I have also been involved with the Sociology Department at Novosibirsk State University, Russia, to further teaching and research in social identities in transforming societies.

Before joining the School, I worked for four years as a Civic Education Project visiting fellow, teaching at universities in Novosibirsk and Bishkek. The Civic Education Project, now re-named Academic Fellowship Program and linked to OSI, is an international non-governmental organisation that aims to contribute to reform processes in institutions of higher education in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Eurasia and to help build inclusive academic networks locally, regionally, and globally. Tatiana Yarkova, Mehrigiul Ablezova and I organised the International Sociology Conference in Bishkek, 17-21 June 2003.

Other Professional Appointments

External Examiner

  • May 2008, External Examiner for two senior theses, Sociology Department, American University Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan.
  • October 2007, External Examiner for a PhD thesis on NGOs in Balochistan at the University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • 9 August 2005, External Examiner for a PhD thesis on higher education in Kyrgyzstan at the London School of Economics, UK.

Referee

  • Member of Editorial Board for Journal of Sociological Research
  • Journal Referee for Central Asian Survey
  • 2008 ESRC Reviewer on humanitarianism
  • 2006 ESRC Rapporteur on Russian capitalism

Visiting Scholarships

  • January-May 2009, Visiting Scholar, Sociology Department, Boston University, USA
  • January-May 2009, Research Associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University, USA
Recent National and International Presentations
  • 8 May 2009, ‘Reflexivity, Class and Ethics: a preliminary analysis of moral judgements and philanthropic acts in the UK’, Departmental Research Seminar, Sociology Department, Boston University, USA
  • 20-21 March 2009, Invited Discussant on everyday moralities in Kyrgyzstan, Conference on The Changing Social Role of Islam in Post-Soviet Eurasia, Davis Center, Harvard University, USA
  • 24 February 2009, ‘Moral Sentiments, Injustice and Family Relatedness: An Investigation into Family Responsibilities and Foster Care (Baguuga Beruu) in Kyrgyzstani Households’, Central Asia and Caucasus Working Group, Davis Center, Harvard University, USA
  • 6 November 2008, 'Charitable Acts, Moral Judgements and Class Sentiments', School Research Seminar, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, UK.
  • 3-4 February 2006, Invited Speaker, ‘The Moral Economy in Kyrgyzstan: understanding morality and ethics in Central Asia’, the Second Conference of the Eurasian Network of Political Science, Yekaterinburg State University, Russia.
  • 25-27 August 2005, ‘Understanding the moral economy in the post-soviet space: some issues of professional practices and ethics in Kyrgyzstan’, Perspectives on Moral Economy: International Conference, Lancaster University, UK (with Elmira Satybaldieva).
  • 5-9 July 2005, ‘Understanding professionalism in post-soviet societies: Some approaches to professional practices and ethics’, 37th World Congress of the International, Institute of Sociology Stockholm, Sweden (with Elmira Satybaldieva).
  • 10-12 June 2005, ‘Understanding moral changes in post-soviet societies: Some approaches to moral economy’, Centre for Russian and European Studies Annual Conference, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park.
  • 21-23 March 2005, ‘Moral struggles in a post-socialist society: Kyrgyzstanis’ reflections on the market transition’, British Sociological Association Annual Conference Life Course: Fragmentation, Diversity and Risk, York University, UK.
  • 17-20 June 2002, Invited Speaker at the CEP Critical Sociology Conference, Tbilisi, Georgia.
  • 26-29 April 2002, Keynote Speaker at the CEP / Canadian Studies Minority Discourses Conference, Ustron, Poland.

 

Teaching

My teaching interests include political economy, social ethics, postcommunism and research methods and philosophies. I teach at the Medway Campus, where I convene on two modules for undergraduates. I also contribute on the MA programme at the Canterbury Campus. I enjoy teaching, and try to convey some of my enthusiasm for theorising and research to my students. In many ways, my research interests have developed from my dialogues and disagreements with my students.

 

Advisory Work

 

International and National Advisory Work
  • 24 August – 5 September 2009, Invited Expert, OSI-CARTI Summer School and Academic Writing Workshop, OSI-CEU, Budapest, Hungary
  • 9 January 2009, Consultant on economics module, Economics Department, The Open University, UK
  • May 2009-11, International Scholar, OSI-CARTI program, Kyrgyzstan
  • 31 January 2008, Consultant on Kyrgyzstan, Farnham Castle International Briefing and Conference Centre, Surrey, UK.
  • 29-31 March 2007, Invited Expert, OSI-CARTI Research Design Workshop, American University – Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan.
  • May 2007-09, International Scholar, OSI-CARTI program, Kazakhstan.
  • July 2005-08, Resource Faculty Person, OSI-HESP ReSET Social Identities in Transforming Societies, Novosibirsk State University, Russia.
  • July 2003-06, Resource Faculty Person, OSI-HESP ReSET Building Academic and Teaching Excellence in the Discipline of Sociology in Central Asia,Almaty, Kazakhstan.
  • 10-12 December 2004, Invited Expert, OSI-HESP ReSET Project Directors’ Meeting, Budapest, Hungary.
  • 23 November 2001, Invited Expert at the ‘Sociology, imperialism and educational capital: the need to become a social scientist', CEP Sociology Round Table in Kaunas, Lithuania.