Laura Toktarbekova

@iph.kz

Center of Religious Studies
Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies

Laura Toktarbekova


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https://researchid.co/lauratn
Laura Toktarbekova, Leading Researcher of the Institute for Philosophy, Political Science and Religion Studies at the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2000–2005 - Researcher, Y. Altynsarin Academy of Education
2005–2009 - Senior Laboratory Assistant, Institute of Philosophy and Political Science MES RK
2009–2012 - Junior Researcher, Institute of Philosophy and Political Science MES RK
2016–2019 – Researcher, Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religion Studies SC MES RK.
2019-2021 - Scientific Secretary, Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religion Studies CS MES RK
2021 - to present time, Leading Researcher of the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Religion Studies
Project Manager "Gender Equality in Islam: Islamic Feminism and Traditionalism"
Scientific interests: Islamic tradition, religious tradition, Islamic philosophy, problems of Islam in the modern world, gender in Islam

EDUCATION

• PhD, Dept. of Religious and Cultural Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan 2016-2019

• MA, Dept. Oriental Studies, Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University 2013-2015

• BA, Kazakh language and literature, “Qainar” University 2000-2005

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Multidisciplinary, Arts and Humanities, Religious studies

FUTURE PROJECTS

Gender Narratives in Kazakhstan's Cyber-Islamic Space: Frames, Challenges, and Prospects

The relevance of the project is aimed at identifying the impact of digital Islamic discourse on traditional religious norms, gender roles and perceptions of gender equality, as well as in the context of Global Gender turbulence in comparison with foreign experience. Project goal. Comprehensive analysis of the content of gender narratives formed in the cyberslam space of Kazakhstan and their relationship with global gender trends.


Applications Invited
7

Scopus Publications

26

Scholar Citations

3

Scholar h-index

Scopus Publications

  • Youth Perceptions of Gender Equality in Kazakhstan: a Sociological Analysis
    Laura Toktarbekova
    Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 2026
  • ISLAMIC LAW WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY: SHARIA AND STATE GOVERNANCE IN KAZAKHSTAN
    Duman Saifullin, Temur Amankul, Laura Toktarbekova, Erkinbek Daken
    Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe, 2026
  • Kazakh Women’s Visual Religious Identity and Islamic Agency on Instagram
    Laura Toktarbekova, Sholpan Zhandossova, Madina Bektenova
    Pharos Journal of Theology, 2025
    This research study analyzes the strategies and forms of religious agency exhibited by Kazakh Muslim women within the social networking platform Instagram. This analysis is situated within the broader context of the digital transformation of religious practices that is currently underway. The authors explore the intricate interplay between Islamic norms, traditional Kazakh cultural codes and the global digital media landscape through the lens of visual content, social media posts, narratives and account descriptions of Kazakh women. Utilizing content analysis and visual analysis techniques, they examine the dynamics between these cultural elements and the representation of women in the context of digital media. The results of the study demonstrate that the Instagram platform offers Muslim women novel opportunities to express their religious identity, visually demonstrate piety and consolidate their position in public space. The authors determine the changing nature of the Islamic Women's Agency in post-Soviet Kazakhstan by analyzing the manifestation of religious and gender identity in social networks based on visualization. The research findings offer a substantial contribution to the understanding of the digital transformation of Muslim women's self-expression practices in modern Kazakh society. This work demonstrates the evolution of religious practices in the digital age and the innovative ways in which Muslim women are establishing new forms of agency within the virtual realm. The findings of the study demonstrate that the Instagram platform can be regarded not only as a medium for self-expression, but also as a space for the emergence of novel forms of Islamic women's agency in post-Soviet Kazakhstan.
  • Contemporary strategies of women activists in the gender equality movement in Central Asia
    Laura Toktarbekova, Natalya Seitakhmetova, Almasbek Shagyrbay, Islambek Parkhatzhan
    Frontiers in Political Science, 2025
    Introduction Movements for gender equality in Muslim countries represent a significant aspect of social progress. These movements not only strengthen women’s position in society but also foster a broader understanding of human rights within the context of cultural and religious traditions. Research on this topic reveals unique strategies and approaches that can be applied to achieve equality in other regions of the world. The present study aims to identify and analyze the novel strategies employed by women activists in the gender equality movement across Central Asian countries. Methods Data were collected through online surveys, content analysis, and ANOVA. Results The findings provide new insights into the contemporary approaches utilized by gender equality activists in Central Asia. Using Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as case studies, the study identified positive changes in gender relations. In Uzbekistan, the proportion of women in the local parliament increased to 30.8%. The figure was 18.8% in Kyrgyzstan, 12% in Tajikistan, and 9% in Kazakhstan. In Turkmenistan, the indicator has remained virtually unchanged, standing at 25.6% in 2024, which is 0.4% lower than in 2000. A comparison of women’s participation in the economy and politics of these countries revealed certain trends and disparities. The data demonstrate that the representation of women in local politics does not always correspond to their participation in leading economic positions. For instance, the highest numbers of women in business leadership roles are observed in Kazakhstan (31.1%) and Kyrgyzstan (21.7%). This contrasts with the regional average of 17.3% for Europe & Central Asia and 18.6% for OECD countries. Discussion These results show that contemporary women activists actively employ novel approaches, including social media engagement and cross-cultural alliance building, to promote their ideas and draw attention to issues of inequality. Their efforts and recommendations contribute to the formation of a more inclusive public discourse and a shift in the perception of gender roles within society. An important factor in overcoming gender inequality involves improving women’s access to education and enhancing their financial independence.
  • FORMATION OF ISLAMIC IDENTITY IN KAZAKHSTAN AND THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION IN CONDITIONS OF RELIGIOUS REVIVAL
    European Journal of Science and Theology, 2025
  • ISLAMIC DISCOURSE OF THE REASON AND FAITH IN POST-NORMAL TIMES: IS IT A RETURN TO TRADITION?
    European Journal of Science and Theology, 2024
  • Foundations of inclusive kazakh religious identity
    European Journal of Science and Theology, 2017

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Youth Perceptions of Gender Equality in Kazakhstan: a Sociological Analysis
    L Toktarbekova
    Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 1-32 , 2026
    2026
  • Islamic law without legal authority: sharia and state governance in Kazakhstan
    D Saifullin, T Amankul, L Toktarbekova, E Daken
    Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe 46 (3), 8 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Contemporary strategies of women activists in the gender equality movement in Central Asia
    L Toktarbekova, N Seitakhmetova, A Shagyrbay, I Parkhatzhan
    Frontiers in Political Science 7, 1694298 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • MODELS OF ISLAMIC TOLERANCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TURKEY, MALAYSIA AND THE UAE
    Л Токтарбекова, М Бектенова
    Адам әлемі 103 (4), 138-146 , 2025
    2025
  • ҚАЗАҚСТАНДАҒЫ ИСЛАМ ФЕМИНИЗМІНІҢ ӘЛЕУМЕТТІК, МӘДЕНИ ЖӘНЕ РУХАНИ МАҢЫЗЫ
    Ш Жандосова, Л Тоқтарбекова
    ҚОҒАМ ЖӘНЕ ДӘУІР 87 (3) , 2025
    2025
  • FORMATION OF ISLAMIC IDENTITY IN KAZAKHSTAN AND THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION IN CONDITIONS OF RELIGIOUS REVIVAL
    M Bektenova, N Seitakhmetova, S Zhandossova, L Toktarbekova
    European Journal of Science and Theology 21 (4), 145-174 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • БАТЫС ЖӘНЕ ИСЛАМ ФЕМИНИЗМІ АРАСЫНДАҒЫ КОНТРАСТ
    ЛН Токтарбекова
    Journal of Philosophy Culture and Political Science 92 (2), 49-60 , 2025
    2025
  • Kazakh Women’s Visual Religious Identity and Islamic Agency on Instagram.
    L Toktarbekova, S Zhandossova, M Bektenova
    Pharos Journal of Theology 106 (3) , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 9
  • THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEMPORARY ACHIEVEMENTS
    Л Токтарбекова, О Бурибеков
    Адам әлемі 103 (1), 149-158 , 2025
    2025
  • ISLAMIC DISCOURSE OF THE REASON AND FAITH IN POST-NORMAL TIMES: IS IT A RETURN TO TRADITION?
    N Seitakhmetova, D Shakenov, L Toktarbekova, S Zhandossova
    European Journal of Science and Theology 20 (6), 43-57 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • ҚАЗАҚ ҚОҒАМЫНДАҒЫ ӘЙЕЛ МӘРТЕБЕСІНІҢ ДӘСТҮРЛІ ЖӘНЕ ЗАМАНАУИ ҮРДІСТЕРІ
    Б Сатершинов, Л Тоқтарбекова, А Әбдіраманова
    Адам әлемі 101 (3), 184-193 , 2024
    2024
  • Қазақстандағы исламдағы феминизм қозғалысының ерекшеліктері: саясаттанулық талдау
    ШМ Жандосова, ЛН Токтарбекова, ММ Нуров
    Journal of Philosophy Culture and Political Science 87 (1) , 2024
    2024
  • ISLAMIC TOLERANCE: CONCEPTUALITY, CONTEXTUALITY, PRACTICE
    Н Сейтахметова, Л Токтарбекова, Ш Бидахметова, Е Шаронова
    Адам әлемі 99 (1), 172-179 , 2024
    2024
  • ЗАЙЫРЛЫ ЖӘНЕ ДІНИ ҚҰНДЫЛЫҚТАР: ШЕТЕЛДЕРДІҢ КОНЦЕПТУАЛДЫ ТӘСІЛДЕРІНІҢ ТӘЖІРИБЕСІ
    Л Тоқтарбекова, А Алтайқызы
    Аль-Фараби 83 (3), 86-98 , 2023
    2023
  • Современная женщина в пространстве мечети: влияние исламского феминизма
    М Бектенова, Л Токтарбекова
    Адам әлемі 97 (3), 163-173 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 1
  • ИСЛАМ ҚҰНДЫЛЫҚТАРЫ ЖҮЙЕСІНДЕГІ ЭКОЛОГИЯЛЫҚ САНА ЕРЕКШЕЛІКТЕРІ
    А Алтайқызы, Л Токтарбекова
    Адам әлемі 96 (2), 152-158 , 2023
    2023
  • ISLAMIC TRADITION IN THE MODERN PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE OF TURKEY
    Л Токтарбекова, Н Сейтахметова, М Бектенова, И Оздемир
    Адам әлемі 91 (1), 170-181 , 2022
    2022
  • The role of intellectual Islamic heritage in the discourse of modern Islamic philosophy
    N Seitakhmetova, N Kaldybekov, M Bektenova, L Toktarbekova, ...
    Wisdom, 172-183 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 4
  • THE PHENOMENON OF ISLAMIC IDENTITY IN THE RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
    М Бектенова, Н Сейтахметова, Л Токтарбекова
    Адам әлемі 88 (2), 122-131 , 2021
    2021
  • Synthesis of Secularism and Religiosity in Turkic Philosophy
    L Toktarbekova, Y Kassabekova, A Shagyrbai, A Malikova
    LINGUISTICA ANTVERPIENSIA, 2210–2224-2210–2224 , 2021
    2021

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Kazakh Women’s Visual Religious Identity and Islamic Agency on Instagram.
    L Toktarbekova, S Zhandossova, M Bektenova
    Pharos Journal of Theology 106 (3) , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 9
  • The role of intellectual Islamic heritage in the discourse of modern Islamic philosophy
    N Seitakhmetova, N Kaldybekov, M Bektenova, L Toktarbekova, ...
    Wisdom, 172-183 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 4
  • Foundations of inclusive Kazakh religious identity
    G Zhussipbek, S Assanova, SB Aymuratov, LN Toktarbekova, ...
    European Journal of Science and Theology 13 (5), 143-154 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 4
  • Islamic identity in the context of national culture
    M Bektenova, L Toktarbekova
    Journal of Philosophy Culture and Political Science 68 (2), 129-136 , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 3
  • FORMATION OF ISLAMIC IDENTITY IN KAZAKHSTAN AND THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION IN CONDITIONS OF RELIGIOUS REVIVAL
    M Bektenova, N Seitakhmetova, S Zhandossova, L Toktarbekova
    European Journal of Science and Theology 21 (4), 145-174 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • Islamic law without legal authority: sharia and state governance in Kazakhstan
    D Saifullin, T Amankul, L Toktarbekova, E Daken
    Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe 46 (3), 8 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Contemporary strategies of women activists in the gender equality movement in Central Asia
    L Toktarbekova, N Seitakhmetova, A Shagyrbay, I Parkhatzhan
    Frontiers in Political Science 7, 1694298 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • ISLAMIC DISCOURSE OF THE REASON AND FAITH IN POST-NORMAL TIMES: IS IT A RETURN TO TRADITION?
    N Seitakhmetova, D Shakenov, L Toktarbekova, S Zhandossova
    European Journal of Science and Theology 20 (6), 43-57 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • Современная женщина в пространстве мечети: влияние исламского феминизма
    М Бектенова, Л Токтарбекова
    Адам әлемі 97 (3), 163-173 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 1
  • Youth Perceptions of Gender Equality in Kazakhstan: a Sociological Analysis
    L Toktarbekova
    Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 1-32 , 2026
    2026
  • MODELS OF ISLAMIC TOLERANCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TURKEY, MALAYSIA AND THE UAE
    Л Токтарбекова, М Бектенова
    Адам әлемі 103 (4), 138-146 , 2025
    2025
  • ҚАЗАҚСТАНДАҒЫ ИСЛАМ ФЕМИНИЗМІНІҢ ӘЛЕУМЕТТІК, МӘДЕНИ ЖӘНЕ РУХАНИ МАҢЫЗЫ
    Ш Жандосова, Л Тоқтарбекова
    ҚОҒАМ ЖӘНЕ ДӘУІР 87 (3) , 2025
    2025
  • БАТЫС ЖӘНЕ ИСЛАМ ФЕМИНИЗМІ АРАСЫНДАҒЫ КОНТРАСТ
    ЛН Токтарбекова
    Journal of Philosophy Culture and Political Science 92 (2), 49-60 , 2025
    2025
  • THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEMPORARY ACHIEVEMENTS
    Л Токтарбекова, О Бурибеков
    Адам әлемі 103 (1), 149-158 , 2025
    2025
  • ҚАЗАҚ ҚОҒАМЫНДАҒЫ ӘЙЕЛ МӘРТЕБЕСІНІҢ ДӘСТҮРЛІ ЖӘНЕ ЗАМАНАУИ ҮРДІСТЕРІ
    Б Сатершинов, Л Тоқтарбекова, А Әбдіраманова
    Адам әлемі 101 (3), 184-193 , 2024
    2024
  • Қазақстандағы исламдағы феминизм қозғалысының ерекшеліктері: саясаттанулық талдау
    ШМ Жандосова, ЛН Токтарбекова, ММ Нуров
    Journal of Philosophy Culture and Political Science 87 (1) , 2024
    2024
  • ISLAMIC TOLERANCE: CONCEPTUALITY, CONTEXTUALITY, PRACTICE
    Н Сейтахметова, Л Токтарбекова, Ш Бидахметова, Е Шаронова
    Адам әлемі 99 (1), 172-179 , 2024
    2024
  • ЗАЙЫРЛЫ ЖӘНЕ ДІНИ ҚҰНДЫЛЫҚТАР: ШЕТЕЛДЕРДІҢ КОНЦЕПТУАЛДЫ ТӘСІЛДЕРІНІҢ ТӘЖІРИБЕСІ
    Л Тоқтарбекова, А Алтайқызы
    Аль-Фараби 83 (3), 86-98 , 2023
    2023
  • ИСЛАМ ҚҰНДЫЛЫҚТАРЫ ЖҮЙЕСІНДЕГІ ЭКОЛОГИЯЛЫҚ САНА ЕРЕКШЕЛІКТЕРІ
    А Алтайқызы, Л Токтарбекова
    Адам әлемі 96 (2), 152-158 , 2023
    2023
  • ISLAMIC TRADITION IN THE MODERN PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE OF TURKEY
    Л Токтарбекова, Н Сейтахметова, М Бектенова, И Оздемир
    Адам әлемі 91 (1), 170-181 , 2022
    2022