Digital History in Central Asia: Initiatives, Regional Specifics and Community.

This paper explores the development of digital history initiatives in Central Asia, focusing on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. It examines the challenges, opportunities, and trends within digital humanities in the region, emphasizing the importance of incorporating postcolonial perspectives and practical digital methods for research and cultural heritage preservation. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including literature reviews, interviews, surveys, site visits, and case studies to provide a comprehensive analysis of current digital history projects. Despite the growth of digital humanities in Central Asia, the paper identifies obstacles such as underrepresentation in international forums, limited research infrastructures, and the prevalence of Western or Russian viewpoints. Significant attention is paid to the development of the digital history community in Central Asia and the study of its needs. The article highlights the potential of digital humanities to decolonize historical narratives and enhance cultural heritage preservation through innovative means like 3D technologies. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of developing region-specific frameworks and fostering collaboration to advance digital history in Central Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]