Orkun Saka

Orkun Saka is an Associate Professor in Economics at City St George's, University of London, where he also serves as Research Lead for the Macro-Finance Cluster. Additionally, he holds positions as a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Research Affiliate at the CESifo network.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Finance from City St George's, University of London (2014-2017)
• MRes/MPhil in Finance from City St George's, University of London (2012-2014)
• MSc in Finance & Accounting from London School of Economics and Political Science (2010-2011)
• BSc in Business (Finance) from Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2004-2009)

Dr. Saka's research focuses on the intersection of finance and politics. His work examines financial intermediation, investigating how banks operate across borders and how cultural factors influence multinational banking. In international finance, he studies currency crises, Eurozone dynamics, and the relationship between financial systems and economic stability. His political economy research explores how epidemics affect political behavior, the relationship between political alignment and banking decisions, and the impact of financial crises on political systems.

His recent publications show a strong focus on the political and social implications of financial systems, particularly examining how epidemics affect financial technology adoption and trust in institutions. There's a clear trajectory connecting his work on financial intermediation with political economy, demonstrating how financial systems and political behavior influence each other.

His scientific recognition includes:

• University of Sussex Business School Research Excellence Award for Emerging Scholars (2021)

Dr. Saka has held various administrative roles including Deputy Director of Research & Impact Lead in Economics and Programme Director for MSc Financial Economics at City St George's. He has served as a referee for leading academic journals including the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Journal of Political Economy, and The Economic Journal. He has organized several academic workshops including the London Political Finance (POLFIN) Workshop and the LSE Workshop on Political Economy of Turkey.

His research activities include collaborations with institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bank of Finland, and Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, demonstrating strong connections between academic research and practical policy applications.