I am currently an Associate Professor of International Relations at Bilkent University. I got my B.A. (2012) in Political Science and International Relations at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, and then received my MA (2015) and Ph.D. (2017) in Political Science from Binghamton University, SUNY. Following my graduation, I was a postdoctoral fellow of ISA James N. Rosenau Fellowship, and a visiting scholar at The Ohio State University's Mershon Center for International Security Studies. My works have so far appeared in leading journals of the field such as Journal of Peace Research, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Political Behavior, Conflict Management and Peace Science, Defence and Peace Economics, International Interactions. My book “Battle for Allegiance Governments, Terrorist Groups, and Constituencies in Conflict” has been published by University of Michigan Press in 2020, and examines non-violent tactics employed by state and non-state armed groups during conflict. In 2019, I received Young Scientist Award (BAGEP) from The Science Academy, Turkey (Bilim Akademisi) in 2019; Outstanding Young Scientist Award (GEBIP), from Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) in 2020, and The Sakip Sabanci International Research Award in 2021 .
Broadly speaking, my research addresses behavioral and attitudinal responses of individuals to violent and non-violent strategies pursued by the state and non-state armed actors. Both type of actors rely on public support to achieve their political goals; and, my research focuses on their strategic interactions with constituents, and analyze the effectiveness of "heart & minds" strategies by bridging the gap between macro- and micro-levels of analysis in intra and international security studies. My research contributes to diverse literatures including political violence, terrorism, foreign policy and public opinion from a behavioral perspective by utilizing a multi-method approach. It also offers important policy implications for foreign policy analysis, and conflict prevention and resolution efforts.
Broadly speaking, my research addresses behavioral and attitudinal responses of individuals to violent and non-violent strategies pursued by the state and non-state armed actors. Both type of actors rely on public support to achieve their political goals; and, my research focuses on their strategic interactions with constituents, and analyze the effectiveness of "heart & minds" strategies by bridging the gap between macro- and micro-levels of analysis in intra and international security studies. My research contributes to diverse literatures including political violence, terrorism, foreign policy and public opinion from a behavioral perspective by utilizing a multi-method approach. It also offers important policy implications for foreign policy analysis, and conflict prevention and resolution efforts.