CURRENT ISSUES IN THE STUDY AND FORMATION OF PUBLIC OPINION IN UZBEKISTAN: METHODS, THEORY AND PRACTICE

On November 28, 2025, the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr”, as part of the annual Sociological Readings named after Academician Ra’no Akhatovna Ubaydullaeva, held an International Scientific and Practical Seminar entitled “Current Issues in the Study and Formation of Public Opinion in Uzbekistan: Methods, Theory and Practice.” This year, the event was devoted to the theme “Social Dynamics and Transformation of Social Processes in Uzbekistan in the Context of Globalization and Large-Scale Reforms.”

At the beginning of the 21st century, globalization, the rapid development of digital technologies, and growing international mobility have created an entirely new reality in the life of society. The processes of renewal of social structures, transformation of value systems, and changes in economic and cultural processes are accelerating. These developments pose new challenges for every society.

Uzbekistan, as an active participant in these processes, continues to implement large-scale reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, modernizing public administration, and developing human capital. The priority areas of the “Uzbekistan–2030” Strategy — sustainable development, the green economy, digitalization of services, and improvement of the social sphere — are among the most important tasks of the present day.

The event brought together representatives of government agencies, public organizations, NGOs, the mass media, as well as domestic and foreign scholars, sociologists, doctoral students, and university students. The meeting was held in both offline and online formats, via the Zoom platform and in the conference hall of the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr.”

The seminar was opened by prominent scholars and heads of major academic institutions. In particular, Kalandar Khodjaevich Abdurakhmanov, Director of the Tashkent Branch of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and Academician, emphasized the rapid dynamics of social change and the need for its systematic scientific analysis.

Representing the Russian Federation, Jean Terentyevich Toshchenko, Chairman of the Editorial Board of the journal Sociological Studies, Head of the Department of Sociology at the Russian State University for the Humanities, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy and Professor, shared his views on the current directions and significance of contemporary sociology and wished the seminar every success.

During the event, Zarema Kaukenovna Shaukenova, Scientific Director of the Association of Sociologists of Kazakhstan, Honored Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Sociological Sciences and Professor, also delivered a congratulatory address. She shared her views on the interrelationship between sociological research and social transformation.

Shafoat Fayzullaevna Nurullaeva, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Doctor of Philosophy, also addressed the seminar. She emphasized that the relevance of sociological research lies not only in analytical assessment, but also in identifying public attitudes, determining the growth points of social processes, understanding the causes of change, and proposing effective solutions to emerging challenges.

Stepan Vasilyevich Lvov, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Analytical Center of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) and Doctor of Philosophy, noted the long-standing cooperation with the “Ijtimoiy Fikr” Center and stressed the importance of further strengthening this partnership in the future.

During the seminar, experts from the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” presented reports on a number of topical issues. In particular, Mansur Sherikbaevich Seitov, Deputy Director for Research of the Center and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology, delivered a report entitled “Dynamics of Changes in Public Sentiment in Uzbek Society: An Analysis of Sociological Research Conducted in 2025.”

Azizbek Bakhodir ugli Tadjibaev, Head of the Scientific and Analytical Department of the Center, presented the scientific collection “Dynamics and Transformation of Social Processes in Uzbekistan in the Context of Globalization and Large-Scale Reforms.”

The scientific collection prepared within the framework of the seminar is devoted to a comprehensive study of the social processes taking place in the country. It presents scientific and practical findings related to the analysis of institutional changes, the evolution of public values, the social consequences of economic modernization, digital transformation processes, and trends in public opinion. The inclusion of research papers by domestic and foreign researchers, doctoral students, and scholars demonstrates the strengthening of academic dialogue and interdisciplinary cooperation.

Azamat Pulatovich Seitov, Professor at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and Doctor of Sociological Sciences, emphasized the importance and scientific value of the research conducted by the “Ijtimoiy Fikr” Center. He noted the need to hold similar seminars in order to unite the sociological community of Uzbekistan and proposed the establishment of an Institute of Sociology in Uzbekistan in the future.

At the conclusion of the event, participants put forward proposals aimed at the scientific study of ongoing changes in society, analysis of the interaction between global and local trends, and more active use of public opinion data in the adoption of well-grounded practical decisions.