UMUT BOZKURT

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Bozkurt serves as a faculty member in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Eastern Mediterranean University's Faculty of Business & Economics. His scholarly work bridges political economy, critical theory, and international relations with particular focus on Turkish politics, Cypriot affairs, and Global South political economy. Dr. Bozkurt maintains an active research agenda that critically examines neoliberal transformations across diverse geopolitical contexts.

His academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Politics (2004-2009) from University of York
• MS in Political Science and Public Administration (1998-2001) from Middle East Technical University
• BA in Political Science and Public Administration (1993-1998) from Bilkent University

Dr. Bozkurt's research centers on critical political economy, with significant contributions to understanding neoliberalism's manifestations in different contexts. His work on Turkish politics analyzes AKP governance through frameworks of 'neoliberal populism with Turkish characteristics' and examines how Islamic rhetoric intersects with economic policies. His scholarship on Cyprus challenges conventional nationalist narratives by incorporating class analysis into the national question. Additionally, his research on Africa explores racial capitalism and environmental justice, connecting global economic structures to local experiences of exploitation and resistance across the continent.

His publication record demonstrates sustained engagement with critical theoretical frameworks applied to pressing contemporary political issues. The recurring themes across his scholarship include class analysis, state-bourgeoisie relations, and the intersection of economic policies with identity politics. His recent work shows particular strength in analyzing neoliberal transformations across different geopolitical contexts—from Turkey's political economy to austerity measures in Greece and racial capitalism in Nigeria.

Dr. Bozkurt has successfully guided numerous graduate students through their academic journey:

• PhD Students: İlke Gürdal (2022), Nılay Onbaşı (2022), Buhari Shehu Miapyen (2021)
• Master's Students: Leila Mirzaee (2025), Takura Donald Junior Mhonda (2020), Uulkan Kubanychbek Kyz (2019), Amirhossein Momeni (2017), Kenechukwu Martha Mordi (2016), Ngwa Neba Ridley (2015), Mustafa Bahadir Balcıoğlu (Ongoing)

His office is located in BE175 at Eastern Mediterranean University, and he can be contacted at umut.bozkurt@emu.edu.tr.