The doctoral dissertation in the field of Human Geography will be examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies at Joensuu Campus.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
This dissertation examines whether the Nagorno-Karabakh armed conflict has affected water security in the neighbouring districts of Azerbaijan that were unoccupied during the war, a crucial question within the field of human geography. The dissertation explores how local communities in unoccupied areas adapted to water security challenges resulting from the conflict and examines the post-conflict prospects for water security in these regions.
This topic is significant because water security is essential for both environmental sustainability and human development, particularly in regions affected by conflict. The study is important as it provides valuable insights into the resilience of local communities and the long-term strategies needed to address water security in conflict-affected regions, contributing to sustainable peacebuilding and resource management.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
The research found that the Nagorno-Karabakh armed conflict had a significant impact on water security in unoccupied neighbouring districts of Azerbaijan, though it was not the only factor. An interesting finding from my research is how local societies in these neighbouring districts to the conflict zone adapted to water security challenges by implementing innovative strategies, such as knowledge exchange, reliance on groundwater, and the use of small artesian wells. To address water shortages, they also constructed camouflaged water tanks and adopted new agricultural practices. The restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh is seen as a positive development, fostering hope for future cross-border co-operation in sustainable water management. Residents in the districts where I conducted my research are optimistic that the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty will help address water-related challenges, although they remain concerned about the impacts of climate change and other factors.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
The research methods and materials used in my doctoral research involve an ethnographic qualitative methodology. To analyse the data collected from local communities and field experts, I employed critical discourse analysis. Throughout the process, I applied securitisation theory to gain a deeper understanding of the materials and their implications.
The doctoral dissertation of Firuz Suleymanov, MA, entitled The Impact of the Armed Conflict in Karabakh on Water Security in Azerbaijan will be examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. The opponent will be Associate Professor Vincenc Kopeček, University of Ostrava, and the custos will be Adjunct Professor Paul Fryer, University of Eastern Finland. The language of the public defence is English.