Ali AVCU

Prof. Dr. Ali AVCU is a Turkish academic specializing in the history of Islamic sects. He has held faculty positions at Ankara Social Sciences University (2020-), Cumhuriyet University (2011-2015), and others, with a focus on Basic Islamic Sciences. His administrative roles include Department Head and Deputy Dean.

• Education: PhD in History of Islamic Sects (Ankara University, 2009); MSc in Fundamental Islamic Sciences (Ondokuz Mayıs University, 2002); BA in Theology (Ondokuz Mayıs University, 1999)

Research Areas center on Islamic sectarian movements, particularly Shia, Kharijism, and Ismaili traditions. His work explores doctrinal conflicts (e.g., Imamate legitimacy), esoteric interpretation systems, and historical interactions between Islamic theological schools.

Recent publications analyze Gnostic influences in Ismailism, Batinism's epistemology, and the evolution of sectarian concepts like zekat. His teaching includes undergraduate and graduate courses on Islamic sectarian history, methodological issues in sectarian research, and classical text analysis.

Academic Leadership: Served as Director of Research Application Center (2015-2016) and thesis advisor for 9 students. His 32 publications (192 citations) reflect deep engagement with Islamic intellectual history.