Assistant Professor Uygar Dursun Yildirim is a faculty member at Gaziantep University , serving in the Islahiye Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences , Department of Public Administration, with a secondary affiliation to the Department of Urbanization and Environmental Problems. From 2016 to 2018 he lectured at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Faculty of Architecture, City and Regional Planning Department. Education PhD in Political Science and Public Administration, Istanbul University, 2007–2014 MA in Development Economics and Economic Growth (with thesis), Marmara University, 2003–2006 BSc in Economics, Marmara University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 1998–2003 Research Interests Dr. Yildirim’s scholarship sits at the intersection of urban governance, political ecology, and alternative economic models . His work explores how local governments shape urban food regimes and environmental policies , with a particular focus on cooperatives as vehicles for social solidarity and democratic participation. Rural transformation, seasonal labour migration , and the political economy of agriculture in Turkey form a complementary strand of investigation, often analysed through the lens of political ecology and comparative public policy. Publications & Knowledge Production Across nine book chapters , seven refereed articles and six conference papers published between 2015 and 2023, two dominant themes emerge: (1) the restructuring of urban and rural food systems under neoliberalism, climate crisis and pandemic shocks; and (2) the emancipatory potential of cooperatives in creating alternative public spaces and inclusive labour markets. Empirically, the research spans local case studies (Sakarya, Izmir Tire, Gaziantep) to macro-level comparative analyses of Turkish and international cooperative movements. Grants & Projects Principal Investigator, Turkish-German Exchange Project on the Integration of Syrian Refugees in Host Communities (2022-2023), examining cooperatives’ roles in employment and social cohesion across nine Turkish cities. Teaching & Advising Since 2018 he has taught 61 undergraduate and 4 graduate courses ranging from Political Theory and Comparative Public Administration to Urban Economy and Development Policies . He has supervised three completed master theses on cooperatives, constitutionalism, and urban transformation. Professional Service Dr. Yildirim served as Department Chair (Domestic Exchange) (2018-2021) and is an editorial board member for two cooperative-focused book projects. He regularly appears in national media, radio and academic panels disseminating research findings on cooperatives, migration and sustainable urbanisation.
