Barno Anvar, Member
Ms. Barno Anvar is a prominent journalist and expert on terrorism, migration, and religious radicalism. With over 27 years of experience in journalism, including at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Prague, she has authored hundreds of analytical reports and produced numerous documentaries, including from critical hotspots such as the Turkey-Syria border during the height of the ISIS and migration crises, as well as conflict zones like Ukraine, the Andijan massacre in Uzbekistan, and the Velvet Revolution in Kyrgyzstan. She holds a PhD in International Journalism and a BA in Journalism from the National University of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, as well as a BA in Pedagogy from the University of Andijan.
Samira Benz — Member
Samira Benz works with Violence Prevention Network USA. Previously, Samira worked with the Strong Cities Network. She served as a Head of the Coordination Unit for Returnees at the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport in Berlin, where she oversaw the reintegration of individuals returning from ISIS. She co-authored a book on deradicalisation and disengagement from Islamist extremism in Germany. Samira holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from the Free University of Berlin and an MA in Terrorism and Political Violence from the University of St Andrews.
Marc Finaud, Member
Mr. Marc Finaud is a former French diplomat. For more than 15 years, he worked as a Senior Programme Advisor for the Emerging Security Challenges Programme and the Arms Proliferation Cluster Leader at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). During his 30-years career as a French diplomat, he served in several bilateral postings (in the Soviet Union, Poland, Israel and Australia), as well multilateral missions (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Conference on Disarmament and the United Nations). He is now a Swiss citizen.
Rashid Gabdulhakov — Member
Dr Rashid Gabdulhakov is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Media and Journalism Studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. His research focuses on social media, disinformation, propaganda, and surveillance, with a particular emphasis on Central Asia. In 2021, Rashid earned his PhD with a cum laud distinction from Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he studied the phenomenon of digital vigilantism. He co-hosts the podcast A Chat in the Yurt, which centers on Central Asian affairs, and runs a personal blog-plovism.com- featuring pop science and recipes.
Dr Sairabubu Isaeva — Member
Dr. Sairabubu Isaeva is an Associate Professor at the Department of Kyrgyz Literature of Kyrgyz National University, a position she has held since 2016. She has been with the university since 2002, teaching literary theory, the history of Kyrgyz literature, and modern Kyrgyz poetry and prose. Earlier, she served as Deputy Dean for Student Affairs (2009–2012) and Deputy Dean for Educational Affairs (2012–2014) at the Faculty of Kyrgyz Philology. Dr. Isaeva has authored nearly 100 scholarly articles, two monographs, and several teaching manuals, with her works published in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and Turkey. She actively participates in international academic and cultural events across Central Asia and beyond. Widely respected for her scholarship and teaching, she has received multiple national awards, including honors from the National Commission on the State Language, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Culture.
Koshoi Kyrgyzbek — Treasurer
Mr. Koshoi Kyrgyzbek uulu has over ten years of experience as a designer and video producer. He has a strong background in finance and has worked for media companies in Kyrgyzstan. He graduated from Kyrgyz National University with a Bachelor`s degree in economics. From 2017-2019, he worked in the Bishkek office of the Bulan Institute.
Cholpon Orozobekova — President
Cholpon Orozobekova has more than 20 years of experience in project management, research, and international affairs. Before founding the Bulan Institute, she worked with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Service for Human Rights, the Au Cœur des Grottes Foundation, and the Nordic Centre for Conflict Transformation. She was also an Executive-in-Residence Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, and Associate Research Fellow at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.
Cholpon is the author of a book on post-ISIS state policies toward foreign fighters, as well as numerous research reports and policy briefs. She has also worked extensively in international media, contributing to outlets such as RFE/RL, BBC, IWPR, and the Jamestown Foundation. She holds three Master’s degrees from Geneva-based public universities.