Onur AÇAR

Onur AÇAR serves as a Researcher in the Department of Sociology at Artvin Coruh University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences since 2013, specializing in critical analyses of urbanization and environmental change in Turkey's Black Sea region.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, Middle East Technical University (2009-2023)
• B.A. in Sociology, Middle East Technical University (2003-2009)
• B.A. in Business Administration, Middle East Technical University (1999-2003)

AÇAR's research critically investigates planetary urbanization processes, particularly how tourism development and nature conservation initiatives drive socio-spatial transformation and dispossession in Eastern Black Sea valleys. His theoretical contributions integrate relational sociology with critical geography to examine the production of urban space, with significant focus on Fırtına Valley's transformation dynamics and Caucasus region conservation conflicts. Methodologically, his work combines qualitative case studies with discourse analysis of rescaling phenomena.

Analysis of his 2016-2024 publications reveals consistent thematic focus on environmental enclosures and infrastructural corridors as mechanisms of dispossession, with increasing theoretical sophistication in applying relational paradigms to urban studies. Geographic scope expanded from Eastern Black Sea case studies to Caucasus region comparisons, while maintaining critical engagement with global urban theory.

His scholarly recognition includes:

• Sevilay Kaygalak and Nuray Ergüneş Memorial Social Sciences Article Award (2024)
• Ilhan Tekeli Urban Culture Foundation Thesis Award (2024)

No information regarding graduate student advising or research grant funding was identified in available materials.