The Diplomat | Author
Colleen Wood
Colleen Wood is a writer and educator based in St. Paul, Minnesota. She holds a PhD from Columbia University, where she studied activism and social media politics in Kazakhstan.
Colleen Wood is a writer and educator based in St. Paul, Minnesota. She teaches courses in political science at Century College and researches human rights and digital politics in Central Asia. She holds a PhD from Columbia University, where she studied activism and social media politics in Kazakhstan.
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June 23, 2021
Why Atajurt’s Brief YouTube Suspension Matters
By Colleen Wood
YouTube's temporary suspension of a Kazakh human rights group’s channel highlights the risks of civil society's heavy reliance on the tech giants.
June 01, 2021
In Kazakhstan, Feminist Activists’ Detention Raise Concerns About Repression
By Colleen Wood
Despite attempt after attempt to block critical voices from Kazakhstan’s public sphere, activists persist.
May 08, 2021
Kyrgyzstan’s Worrying New Limits on Dissent
By Colleen Wood
Kyrgyzstan’s president continues to sharpen the country’s legal code as a tool to limit dissent.
May 01, 2021
Learning From Kyrgyzstan’s Local Elections
By Colleen Wood
Local elections provide a window into the state of Kyrgyz politics – and what might come next in the three decade-long game of political musical chairs.
March 26, 2021
Local Council Elections a Big Test for Kyrgyzstan’s 2019 Gender Quota Law
By Colleen Wood
The gender quota in local councils is no panacea, but it is an important step in creating the capacity to address the challenges women face in Kyrgyzstan.
February 26, 2021
Pay Attention to Kyrgyzstan’s Local Elections
By Colleen Wood
Local polls scheduled for April 11 will offer clues about the country’s future political trajectory.
January 29, 2021
Lack of Transparency Marks Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Reform Quest
By Colleen Wood
Kyrgyzstan’s new president wants to open a “new page in history” with constitutional reform, but what exactly will it look like?
December 22, 2020
Looking Ahead to January 10: Elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
By Colleen Wood
Why bother analyzing elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan if we think we know the results?
December 01, 2020
Goalposts for Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Referendum Shifting
By Colleen Wood
Two months out from unrest sparked by parliamentary elections, Kyrgyzstan’s political future remains uncertain.
October 14, 2020
What’s Next for Kyrgyzstan?
By Colleen Wood
It’s the second week of Kyrgyzstan’s political crisis – what does the path forward look like?
September 30, 2020
Kyrgyzstan Could Ultimately Vote ‘Against All’ in the Parliamentary Polls
By Colleen Wood
Kyrgyzstan will elect a new parliament this weekend – why is it so hard to forecast the outcome?
August 07, 2020
Protest Körpe: Quilting Together ‘Real’ and Digital Dissent in Kazakhstan
By Colleen Wood
Creative demonstrations for an imprisoned activist in Kazakhstan bridge digital and real-world engagement.