MEHMET ÖZEL

Mehmet Özel is a Professor at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University, Faculty of Economics and Administration, where he has served as Department Head since 2021. Previously, he held academic positions at Nigde University, progressing from Research Assistant (1995) to Assistant Professor (2002), Associate Professor (2010), and Department Head positions at both institutions. His career demonstrates a consistent focus on public administration and local governance systems in Turkey.

Dr. Özel earned his Doctorate in 2001 from Marmara University with a dissertation on 'Regionalization in the European Union and Turkey,' following a Master's degree from Gazi University in 1997 on 'Conflict in Public Organizations and Its Effect on Productivity,' and completing his undergraduate studies in Public Administration at Gazi University in 1992. His academic trajectory reflects a deepening specialization in governance structures and administrative systems.

His research interests center on local governance systems, decentralization processes, urbanization policies, and Turkey's relationship with the European Union. Özel has extensively examined how global trends like globalization and regionalization impact local administrative structures, with particular attention to municipal finance, service delivery, and citizen engagement. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in Turkish local government contexts.

Analyzing his publication history reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on local administration. His recent work shows increasing attention to fiscal challenges in local government, citizen-centered service delivery models, and the implications of EU integration processes on Turkish regional governance structures. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects political science, urban studies, and public policy perspectives.

• YÖK Researcher ID: 30949

As an academic advisor, Özel has supervised numerous master's theses on topics including EU environmental policy impacts, urban rights implementation, environmental awareness in education, and organizational dynamics in public institutions. His administrative leadership includes serving as Institute Director at Nigde University (2011-2014) and multiple department head positions, demonstrating both scholarly and organizational contributions to Turkish academia.

His teaching portfolio encompasses undergraduate and graduate courses in Comparative Local Governments, Environmental Issues and Policies, Local Governments, and Urbanization Policy, reflecting the practical application of his research interests in the classroom. Özel's work represents a significant contribution to understanding the evolution of local governance in Turkey within broader European and global contexts.