Informal Practices and the Paradox of Doctoral Education Reform in Uzbekistan

This chapter explores the interplay between formal reforms and informal practices in Uzbekistan’s doctoral education (DE) system since the introduction of major reforms in 2017. Despite efforts to align DE with international standards and reduce unethical behaviours, the reforms have unintentionally reinforced long-standing informal networks and practices. Using a mixed-methods approach, combining document analysis with 25 stakeholder interviews, this chapter examines why and how doctoral students turn to informal means, such as leveraging personal connections and other informal practices to navigate process-heavy requirements and resource limitations. The findings reveal a deep disconnect between policy aspirations, such as meritocratic assessment, international publication, and real-world research application, and the realities of daily academic life, where bureaucratic obstacles and limited supervisory guidance drive candidates toward informal solutions. This chapter categorises students’ behaviours into three archetypes: resilient (rule-abiding), opportunist (selectively informal), and accidental (primarily motivated by financial incentives). Most candidates fall into the latter two groups, diluting the signalling value of the doctorate and perpetuating systemic distrust. The analysis highlights the paradox that policies designed to modernise and improve academic integrity have, at times, deepened dependence on informal workarounds, further undermining meritocratic norms. This chapter concludes by recommending that future reforms prioritise capacity-building, transparent governance, and realistic standards to reduce reliance on informal practices and restore the credibility of Uzbekistan’s doctoral system.

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