Recently in The Conversation discussing the friendly ties between China and Russia, Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva shares more about the potential strain that Central Asia is having on that relationship. Following a career featuring UNICEF and diplomatic missions, Dilnoza tells us how geopolitics and higher education can often go hand-in-hand, and shares how small acts of kindness in everyday life continue to inspire her.

What is your role here at Flinders?

I am a Lecturer in Government in the College of Business, Government and Law. I teach topics like International Relations, International Security and Academic Research and Writing.

How did you get into this field?

Before joining academia in the field of international relations and security, I worked in various roles across Australian and Central Asian universities, as well as with UNICEF and diplomatic missions. While working for UNICEF, I had the opportunity to observe the UN system from the inside, which sparked a strong desire to understand how international politics operates.

Originally trained as a linguist and having taught linguistics, my first step toward studying politics and international relations was earning a Master’s degree in IR. After completing that degree, I returned to Canberra and worked at the Australian National University (ANU). It was during my time at ANU that I decided to pursue a PhD and began teaching courses in International Relations, Politics, and Security.

Now, I enjoy researching, teaching, and writing about geopolitics, great power competition in Central Eurasia and the post-Soviet space, as well as the securitisation of higher education policies.

You recently wrote an article for The Conversation on how Central Asia could cause some strain to Russia and China’s friendship – tell us a little more about that.

Yes, in that article I explored how Central Asia—traditionally seen as Russia’s backyard—is becoming an increasingly important space for both Russia and China to project influence. While the two countries publicly maintain a strategic partnership, their interests in the region don’t always align. Russia has long held political, military, and cultural influence in Central Asia, but since the war in Ukraine, that dominance has started to wane. At the same time, China has been expanding its economic footprint through infrastructure projects, trade, and investment, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative. What I argue is that Central Asia is no longer just a passive space receiving influence—it’s becoming a site where strategic competition between Russia and China could quietly emerge. While they’re not openly clashing, their overlapping interests—especially in security and economic leadership—could lead to friction. The region could end up testing the limits of their “no limits” friendship.

What is one thing about your work you wish more people knew?

I have two main research streams. The first focuses on geopolitics and great power competition in Eurasia, and the second explores how security interests can influence higher education policy. I wish more people were aware that many changes or regulations affecting how universities are governed—whether in Western societies like Australia or in authoritarian states in Central Eurasia—often reflect national security considerations.

In Australia, for example, policies on foreign interference in higher education and the recent debate linking international student numbers to the housing crisis both reflect how security concerns can shape the university sector. I want people to understand that behind many higher education policies, there are often underlying national security priorities—or what I call constructed security interests.

Also, I wish more people knew just how much time, thought, and energy goes into preparing a single lecture! Teaching is not just about standing in front of a class—it’s about crafting a meaningful learning experience.

How do you spend your spare time?

I enjoy going for walks, spending time with my children, with my friends and reading biographies.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by the small acts of kindness that people show one another. Whether it’s a smile exchanged with someone you pass on a walk, a kind compliment to a colleague, or genuinely listening to someone when they seek your views. In a world that’s increasingly busy and self-interested, I think these acts of kindness are becoming rarer, yet they hold so much power.