Adeeb Khalid is the Jane and Raphael Bernstein Professor of Asian Studies and History at Carleton College, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. His scholarship bridges Central Asian history, Soviet studies, and postcolonial theory, with a focus on cultural transformations under imperial and revolutionary contexts. PhD and MA from University of Wisconsin-Madison President of Central Eurasian Studies Society (2005-06) Executive Board, Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (2013-15) Key research areas include: Modern Central Asian history (1860s-present) Islam under Russian/Soviet rule Nation-building and colonialism Comparative imperial formations Language and identity politics Anticolonial movements in Eurasia His publications have been translated into Russian, Chinese, Turkish, and Korean. Recent articles examine: Post-Soviet Islamic historiography Colonial Turkestan's exclusion/inclusion dynamics Decolonizing Central Asian national identities Methodological debates in area studies Scientific recognitions: Wayne S. Vucinich Book Prize (2008) Reginald Zelnik Book Prize (2016) Honorable Mention, Joseph Rothschild Prize Active in international academic collaborations, Khalid has held visiting positions at Maison des Sciences de l'Homme in Paris and the Library of Congress's Kluge Center. He teaches courses on Russian Empire, Soviet Revolution, and Middle Eastern cultural history.
Prof. Dr. Elnur Hasan MİKAİL is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Kars Kafkas University. He has served at Kafkas University since 2011, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in 2018, and was promoted to full Professor in November 2023. Throughout his career, he has held significant leadership positions including Department Chair and Head of Science Field. Dr. MİKAİL completed his academic journey at Selçuk University, earning a Bachelor's degree in International Relations (2001), a Master's degree in International Relations (2004), and a Doctorate in Atatürk's Principles and History of Turkish Revolution (2010). His doctoral research focused on "Turkey-Azerbaijan Relations During Atatürk Period (1919-1938)." He has participated in international academic programs including Erasmus+ and Mevlana Exchange Program, conducting research and teaching at institutions in the USA, UK, Czech Republic, and Georgia. His research primarily focuses on Turkish World Studies, International Institutions, and Conflict Resolution, with significant contributions to understanding geopolitical dynamics in the Caucasus region, Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, Russian foreign policy, and Turkic unity. His scholarly work bridges historical analysis with contemporary international relations theory, examining the intersection of Turkic identity, regional cooperation, and geopolitical strategy in Eurasia. His publications demonstrate expertise across political science, international relations, history, and organizational behavior. Dr. MİKAİL has received numerous accolades including appreciation certificates from Ardahan University (2025), Kafkas University (2024), and Konrad Adenaur-Stiftung (2023), among others dating back to 2017. Notably, he was recognized as a Mathematics Olympiad champion by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Higher Education in 1991. He has supervised at least two Master's students: Faruk Tipioğlu (2016) who researched "Russia's Caucasus Policies in the Post-Cold War International Security Theories Perspective (1991-2016)" and Dursun Karagöz (2013) who studied "Civil Society Organizations in Georgia." He has also been involved in research projects supported by Selçuk University's Scientific Research Projects and TİKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency). As an active academic, Dr. MİKAİL serves as editor for TURAN-SAM (Turan Strategic Research Center) International Scientific Indexed Seasonal Journal. He is a member of the American Political Science Association (APSA) and has collaborated extensively with researchers like Hakan Çora, with whom he has co-authored numerous publications. His academic work demonstrates strong engagement with both theoretical frameworks in international relations and practical geopolitical analysis, particularly concerning Turkic states and the Caucasus region.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Serhat YILMAZ is a distinguished historian specializing in the history of the Republic of Turkey and Atatürk's revolutions. He currently serves as Professor at the Department of History within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kastamonu University, where he also holds the position of Dean. His academic career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to Turkish historical studies, particularly focusing on the National Struggle period and regional history of Kastamonu. His educational journey includes a BA in History from Selçuk University (1984-1989), followed by a Master's degree (1995-1997) and PhD (1998-2004) in Atatürk's Principles and Revolution History from Hacettepe University. BA, History Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Selçuk University (1984-1989) MA, Atatürk's Principles and Revolution History Institute, Hacettepe University (1995-1997) PhD, Atatürk's Principles and Revolution History Institute, Hacettepe University (1998-2004) Prof. YILMAZ's research primarily centers on Atatürk's Principles and the History of the Republic of Turkey, with particular emphasis on the National Struggle period, regional history of Kastamonu, and the socio-political transformations during the early Republican era. His work often explores the intersection of local history with national narratives, examining how regional centers like Kastamonu contributed to and experienced Turkey's transition from empire to republic. His publications reveal a consistent focus on primary source analysis, particularly archival materials, newspapers, and official documents from the period. An analysis of his recent publications shows a strong trend toward examining specific historical events and their local manifestations, particularly the National Struggle period in the Kastamonu region. His work demonstrates methodological diversity, incorporating political, social, and cultural history approaches. A significant portion of his research investigates how national policies and revolutions (such as the Hat Revolution) were implemented and perceived at the local level, providing valuable micro-historical perspectives on macro-historical events. Aylıkla Ödüllendirme (1993) Throughout his career, Prof. YILMAZ has supervised numerous graduate students, with 14 theses listed where he served as the main advisor. His research has been supported by various projects, including the "Historical Independence Road and Campus Digital Museum" project (2021-2023), the "YÖK World Bank National Education Development Project," and research on the "Socio-Economic History of Northwest Anatolia (13th-15th Centuries)." His collaborative work extends internationally, particularly with Azerbaijani scholars on topics related to Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. Prof. YILMAZ is actively involved in academic administration, currently serving as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kastamonu University. He has held numerous administrative positions including Department Chair, Faculty Board Member, and Director of Research Application Centers. He is also a member of the Scientific Board of the Atatürk Research Center at the Atatürk Culture, Language, and History Supreme Institution, demonstrating his ongoing engagement with national historical discourse.
Assistant Professor RECEP ŞEHİTOĞLU is affiliated with Gaziantep University (Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Political Science and Public Administration) and Ankara Medipol University . Holding a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (2020) and an MA in International Relations from Cyprus International University (2017), his academic career spans roles as a lecturer, researcher, and academic advisor. Doctorate: Political Science and International Relations (2020, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University) MA: International Relations (2017, Cyprus International University) Bachelor: International Relations (2009, Cyprus International University) His research focuses on Public Diplomacy , Turkish Foreign Policy , Soft Power , and International Institutions , with 20+ peer-reviewed articles and 12 book chapters. He has explored topics like health diplomacy during the pandemic, education diplomacy in higher education, and NGO roles in public diplomacy . His work often intersects political communication, conflict resolution, and humanitarian diplomacy. Scientific awards include the High Honor Certificate from International Cyprus University (2008-2009). He has advised two master's theses and contributed to projects on Syria conflict resolution, Africa symposiums, and post-earthquake perception analysis. His administrative roles include Dean Assistant and Quality Commission Member at Gaziantep University.
Ümit Akin is an Associate Professor at the Department of Contemporary Turkish Dialects and Literature, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University. Previously, he served as a Lecturer at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (2011–2020). He holds administrative roles including Head of the Department (Bandırma) and Research Application Center Director (Muğla). His expertise spans Turkish and Azerbaijani literature, Ottoman studies, and cultural history. Research interests focus on diaspora literature, Azerbaijani theater, and Ottoman-Turkic cultural dynamics. Notable publications include studies on Hamit Dönmез’s poetry and the Karabakh issue in Azerbaijani media. He has received multiple Certificates of Appreciation from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. Teaching includes courses on Turkish language, literature, and effective communication. He advises master’s theses on Azerbaijani writers and social criticism in Turkish literature. His authored books explore Azerbaijani independence movements and Ottoman language structures.
Halit Hamzaoğlu , currently serving as an Associate Professor at Kafkas University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Political Science and International Relations, has dedicated his academic career to Geopolitics , International Politics , and Regional Studies . He completed his PhD in European Union and International Economic Relations at Ankara University in 2013 and holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the same institution (2009). Research Focus : His work examines geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia , Eurasian Economic Union , and Arctic Strategy , with a particular emphasis on Russian foreign policy and Turkic states collaboration . Publications : Over 15 recent articles address topics like Shanghai Cooperation Organization , Mediterranean naval geopolitics , and Hobbesian theory in IR , published in journals such as Gazi Akademik Bakış and The Journal of Social Science . Teaching : Has instructed courses on Professional Russian , Contemporary State Systems , and Geopolitics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Academic Collaborations : Co-authored works with Erkan Salim Hoşfikirer and Ali Samir Merdan , focusing on Iran nuclear policy and Arab Spring impacts .
Prof. Dr. Nail Karagöz , Kirgizistan-Türkiye Manas Üniversitesi'nde 2020'den beri İlahiyat Fakültesi İslam Bilimleri Bölümü başkanlığı ve öğretim üyeliği görevlerinde bulunmaktadır. Daha önce Osmaniye Korkut Ata Üniversitesi (2014-2018) ve Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi (2018-2019) gibi kurumlarda Doktor Öğretim Üyesi ve idari pozisyonlarda (Anabilim Dalı Başkanı, Dekan Yardımcısı) görev yaptı. Eğitim: Marmara Üniversitesi'nde Teoloji (1996), Çukurova Üniversitesi'nde Temel İslam Bilimleri yüksek lisansı (2004) ve doktorası (2014) Araştırma Alanları İslam teolojisi (kelam), Hanefî-Mâtürîdî geleneği, ahlak eğitimi, sosyal medya ve din, İslam'ın sosyal yansıması ve karşılaştırmalı mezhep çalışmaları üzerine yoğunlaşmaktadır. Çalışmalarında özellikle eski İslam metinlerinin çağdaş problemlere çözüm üretme kapasitesini vurgulamaktadır. Yayınları , 2012-2024 arasında yayınlanan 19 makale ve 8 kitapla 15 farklı akademik çalışmayı içermektedir. Bu çalışmalar 2024'de yayınlanan Necmüddîn ez-Zâhidî’nin Hz. Muhammed’in (s.a.s.) Nübüvvetinin İspatı makalesiyle Mâtürîdî okulunun peygamberlik konusundaki argümanlarını, 2022'de KUTADGU BİLİG’DE PEYGAMBERLİK makalesiyle Türk edebiyatında dini ahlakın temsilini ve 2023'te Allah ve Peygamber İnancının Sosyal Medyadaki Yansımaları çalışmasıyla dijital çağda dini inancın evrimini analiz etmektedir. Bilimsel Ödülleri : 2018 - Dede Korkut Encouragement Award (Uluslararası Avrasya Eğitim Sendikaları Birliği) 2016 - Ahmet Yesevi Encouragement Award (Uluslararası Avrasya Eğitim Sendikaları Birliği) Öğrenci Danışmanlıkları arasında Kırgızistan-Türkiye Manas Üniversitesi'nde 2023'te Tevhid İnancı Açısından Tevessül ve Rabıta yüksek lisans tezini danışmanlık etmiştir. Ayrıca 2020-2022 arasında Bitirme Tezi , Kelam Yöntemleri ve Ahlak Eğitimi Metotları derslerinde öğrencilere rehberlik yapmıştır.
Prof. Dr. Yavuz Selim KAFKASYALI is a full-time Professor at Kafkas University State Conservatory, Department of Music, Turkey, since 2024. He previously held academic positions as Associate Professor (2019–2024), Doctoral Faculty Member (2013–2019), and Instructor (2005–2013) at the same institution. Current leadership roles: Head of the Main Arts Department (2023–), Conservatory Director (2020–), Department Chair (2019–) Academic background: Master of Science in Music Sciences and Technology (İnönü University, 2013), MA in Musicology (Atatürk University, 2005), BA in Musicology (Atatürk University, 2003) His research focuses on Turkic musicology, Classical Western Music interpretation, and socio-cultural analysis of folk traditions. Recent work examines national identity in music, cultural unity through folk songs like Sarı Gelin, and historical connections between Ottoman/Iranian and Turkic musical systems. Collaborations include researchers from Dicle University, Atatürk University, and international institutions in Azerbaijan and Turkey. His pedagogical activities include teaching chamber music, orchestral performance, and violin specialization courses (2023–2024).
Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul YAMAN is a full-time Professor at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University's Faculty of Education, Department of Turkish and Social Sciences Education. He has held concurrent professorships at Yıldırım Beyazıt University since 2011, where he also served as the Head of Turkish Language and Literature Department and Chair of Contemporary Turkic Dialects and Literatures. PhD in Turkish Language (Gazi University, 1994) MSc in Turkish Language and Literature (Gazi University, 1990) BA in Turkish Language and Literature (Ankara University, 1985) His research focuses on Turkic dialectology, comparative linguistics, and language education. Key areas include: South-Eastern (New Uyghur/Uzbek) Turkish Dialects and Literatures South-Western (Oghuz) Turkish Dialects and Literatures North-Western (Kipchak) Turkish Dialects and Literatures Recent publications analyze Turkic unity through linguistic comparisons (2024), Uyghur-Uzbek poetic analysis (2023), and stylistic shifts in Ottoman-Turkish discourse (2022). His work bridges historical linguistics with modern educational applications. Professor YAMAN has supervised 16 theses, including doctoral research on polysemy in Turkish (2019) and master's studies on constitutional language evolution (2025). He leads the „Türk Dünyası Ortak Edebiyatı Projesi“ and „Çağatay Özbek Şiiri Antolojisi Projesi“.
Mehmet Topal is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Anadolu University's Faculty of Letters, where he has served since 2015 while concurrently directing the Center for Application and Research on Turks Abroad. His academic career spans over three decades across multiple Turkish institutions. He earned his BA in History from Istanbul University (1986), followed by a PhD from Istanbul University's Social Sciences Institute (1992) and a second PhD from Marmara University's Turkology Research Institute (2001). His scholarly trajectory includes positions as Research Assistant (1994-2001) and Assistant Professor (2001-2013) at Eskişehir Osmangazi University before achieving Associate Professorship in Early Modern History in 2013. Dr. Topal's research centers on Ottoman chronicles, urban history, and vakıf (endowment) systems, with significant contributions to Turkic World studies through international collaborations guided by Ismail Gasprinski's 'Unity in Language, Thought, and Action' principle. His work manifests in conference organization, editorial projects, and cross-border academic initiatives focused on Turkic communities. Administratively, he has held multifaceted roles including Rector's Consultant and directorship of three specialized centers: the Center for Turkic World Application and Research, the Center for Science-Culture-Art of Turkic World, and currently the Center for Application and Research on Turks Abroad. His leadership has facilitated numerous international symposia, exhibitions, and collaborative publications that advance cultural diplomacy within Turkic regions.
Prof. Dr. Vecihi Sefa Fuat Hekimoğlu is a prominent historian specializing in Central Asian and Turkish Studies, currently serving as a Professor at Dumlupınar University's Faculty of Education. His academic journey includes positions at Uşak University and Bitlis Eren University, where he focused on History and Political History. He holds a PhD from the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences. His research interests span Turkish history, Soviet repression policies, and national independence movements, particularly in Kazakhstan and Turkestan. Notable works include studies on women's rights in early 20th-century Kazakhstan and the role of Turkism among Russian and Turkish Turks. Recent publications analyze Soviet-era repression in Kazakhstan, Ottoman-Kashgar relations, and the Kazakh-Kyrgyz role in East Turkestan struggles. He teaches courses on Turkish history, Ottoman history, and social anthropology.
Asst. Prof. Cevdet ŞANLI is a distinguished scholar in Turkish Language and Literature at Yıldız Technical University's Faculty of Education . His career spans over 25 years, with prior roles at Sakarya University and Trakya University. His work bridges Old Turkish Poetry , Modern Turkish Dialects , and Elementary Education Curriculum Development . Doctorate: Trakya University (1992) Postgraduate: Trakya University (1990) Undergraduate: Atatürk University (1986) Research focuses on Turkish dialects (particularly Kosovo/Prizren variations), epigraphic studies in Ottoman Turkish, and language policy in education. He has authored over 68 publications, including Scopus-indexed works and AHCI articles. As Deputy Director of the Faculty Academic Council since 2016, he shapes institutional academic strategy. His educational contributions include designing courses like Postgraduate Thesis Work and Öğretmenlik Uygulaması for undergraduate Turkish language training.
Ayşen Uslu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Beykent University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She has been actively teaching since 2007, progressing from Lecturer to her current position as Assistant Professor, and has served in various administrative roles including Head of Department (2016-2019) and Deputy Director of Vocational School (2010-2011). Her research focuses primarily on Turkish and Tatar literature, with special interest in comparative literary studies, linguistic relations within the Turkic world, and Ottoman-Turkic cultural connections. Her extensive publication record includes scholarly books, encyclopedia entries, and numerous conference proceedings examining topics ranging from Tatar literary history to language standardization efforts across Turkic-speaking regions. Dr. Uslu's recent scholarly output shows a clear trend toward examining identity formation in Turkic literature, linguistic relations across Turkic communities, and historical-cultural connections between Ottoman/Turkish and Tatar intellectual traditions. Her 2023-2025 publications particularly emphasize gender representation in Tatar literature and contemporary challenges in Turkic language standardization. She has supervised numerous master's theses on Turkish literary topics, demonstrating her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars in Turkish literature studies. Her students have explored diverse subjects including classical Turkish novels, literary criticism, and analyses of specific authors' works.
Dr. Ahmet Akbayir serves as a Lecturer at the Mucur Vocational School of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University , specializing in Atatürk's Principles and the History of the Republic . He has held academic positions since 2003, including Teaching Assistant (2003-2010), Lecturer (2014-2018), and current full-time faculty role since 2018. His teaching covers Atatürk's Principles , Turkish History , and Turanist Thought . Academic Background: Bachelor's Degree in Sociology (2024), Istanbul University Master's in History (2008-2013), Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Master's in Management and Organization (2006-2019), Hoca Ahmet Yesevi International Turkish-Kazakh University Bachelor's in Social Studies Teaching (1998-2002), Gazi University Research Focus: Ahmet Akbayir's work centers on Turkish nationalist ideology, particularly examining Atatürk's Principles and their evolution in modern Turkish politics. His scholarship analyzes the Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi (MHP) and Turanist thought , tracing continuity between early republican ideology and contemporary nationalist movements. Recent publications explore topics like Alparslan Türkeş 's legacy, Kemalist republicanism , and 21st-century Turkish nationalism . Publication Trends: Among his 31 publications, the 15 most recent (2024-2025) demonstrate a focus on nationalist historiography, with recurring themes of Republican identity , Turkic unity , and MHP's ideological foundations . His scholarship bridges academic history with political commentary, emphasizing Turanist concepts and Atatürkist legacy in contemporary Turkish governance.
Prof. Dr. Mitat DURMUŞ is a full-time Professor in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Kafkas University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He serves as Dean and Department Head, with affiliations including the Turkish Language Association (elected Principal Member in 2022). His academic journey includes a BA (1994) and MA (1996) from Fırat University, and a PhD (2004) from Ankara University, all in Turkish Literature. His research focuses on Modern Turkish Literature , with expertise in: Poetic analysis (Melih Cevdet Anday, epic traditions) Identity construction in Ottoman/Turkish narratives Turkic literary connections (Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz) Sociolinguistic dimensions of Turkish nationalism Publications (189+ works) emphasize poetry interpretation and historical-literary intersections , particularly exploring themes of cultural trauma, national identity, and existential philosophy in Turkic contexts. His editorial leadership includes journals like Turkology and book series on Turkish literary figures. He has advised 25+ graduate students (MA/PhD) on topics spanning Turkish poetry, novel analysis, and cultural identity. Administrative roles include Dean of Faculty (2022–present), Erasmus/Farabi program coordination, and research center directorships.
