School / Department: Universität Wien, Postgraduate Degree, Master of European Studies
Institution and Position: Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Assistant Professor
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Istanbul in 1989. In 2008, I graduated from Sankt Georg Austrian High School and Commercial College, where I studied on a scholarship. I completed my undergraduate studies in the Department of Labour Economics and Industrial Relations at the Faculty of Economics, Istanbul University, in 2012. During this period, I was a scholarship holder of the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV). I completed my master’s degree with thesis at the Department of Economics, Division of Economic Policy, Institute of Social Sciences, Istanbul University in 2014, and in the same year, I completed my Master’s in European Studies at the Postgraduate Center of the University of Vienna as a Jean Monnet scholar.
After returning to Türkiye, I began my PhD studies in February 2015 at the Department of European Union, Institute of Social Sciences, Istanbul University. In May 2016, I successfully passed both the written and oral PhD qualification exams. Supported by a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship, I conducted part of my doctoral research at the Institute of Political Science, Heidelberg University, between July and October 2017. In December 2019, I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation entitled “German–Turkish Industrial Policies within the Framework of the European Union’s Industrial Policy: A Study on the Manufacturing Industry,” written under the supervision of Prof. Dr Cem Saatcioğlu, and was unanimously awarded the title of “Doctor.” I am fluent in English and German, and have an intermediate knowledge of French and Latin.
How has your career progressed up until now?
My professional experience began with a voluntary internship in the Procurement Department of Turkish Airlines between July and August 2011. From December 2012 to September 2013, I worked in the After-Sales Services Department of John Deere Machines Ltd. Co., and between May 2015 and February 2019, I served in the Strategy and Corporate Performance Management and Marketing Departments of Albaraka Türk Participation Bank.
Since November 2020, I have been working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Foreign Trade at Bandırma Vocational School, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University. I teach courses at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. In addition to our teaching activities, we strive to create a more holistic academic experience by engaging students in career events, as well as various academic and social activities that extend the learning process beyond the classroom. As of September 2025, I will also begin teaching undergraduate-level courses at the Turkish-German University.
My academic research areas focus on international political economy — particularly regionalisation, foreign trade, and transport policies within the framework of EU–Türkiye relations. I continue to contribute to both national and international academic literature.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, especially my mother, Necla Çelikok.
Could you provide some details about the university and the subject you studied through Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme?
Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna serves as an intellectual and academic bridge between Western and Eastern Europe and stands as one of Europe’s leading universities with its diverse, multinational student body. The university has historically hosted and shaped major intellectual movements in the social sciences — from Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis to Karl Popper’s philosophy of science, from the logical positivism of the Vienna Circle to contemporary studies on migration and European identity. Owing to this rich heritage, the University of Vienna has played a pivotal role not only in academic knowledge production but also in Europe’s broader intellectual and societal transformation.
The twelve-month Master’s Programme in European Studies that I completed provided an interdisciplinary and holistic understanding of the European Union’s (EU) legal, political, historical, sociological, and economic dimensions. The programme’s language of instruction was primarily German (80%), with the remaining 20% delivered in English. I also took an elective course in French. Comprising a total of twenty courses and a thesis, this intensive programme broadened my academic horizon. It enabled me to grasp the theoretical foundations of European integration and observe how theoretical frameworks are translated into practice within EU institutions and international organisations through visits and academic events. This experience also allowed me to develop a more in-depth understanding of the EU’s policymaking processes and Türkiye’s alignment efforts.
My research area focused on Chapter 19 of the EU accession negotiations — Social Policy and Employment. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr Elisabeth Holzleitner, my thesis, entitled “Beschäftigungspolitik der Türkei im Vergleich mit der Europäischen Union” (Turkey’s Employment Policy in Comparison with the European Union), examined employment policies in Türkiye and the EU from historical, legal, eco-political, and socio-political perspectives. The study sought to identify Türkiye’s strengths and areas for improvement in the field of social policy and employment within the context of EU acquis alignment. My thesis was later published as a book by AkademikerVerlag (ISBN-13: 978-3330503922).
The Master’s programme I completed through the Jean Monnet Scholarship not only deepened my perspective in the field of social sciences but also, through its interdisciplinary approach, enabled me to develop a multidimensional analytical framework for my comparative, economy-oriented research on EU–Türkiye relations.
How has the education you completed through Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme influenced your perspective on the European Union?
The education I received at the University of Vienna through the Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme enabled me to view the European Union as a multidimensional system. Since the programme examined the EU’s legal, political, historical, sociological, and economic dimensions in an integrated manner, it helped me to perceive the EU not merely as a set of institutions and policies but as a supranational, dynamic structure shaped by social transformations and cultural interactions.
Engaging in lectures delivered by highly distinguished professors and exchanging ideas with fellow students from diverse countries — discussing European history and culture both inside and outside the classroom — allowed me to appreciate the EU as more than a framework of shared economic interests evolving into political unity. I began to see it as a collective entity enriched by diverse social values and cultural exchanges.
Together with my Jean Monnet academic cohort and postgraduate peers, I had the opportunity to visit EU institutions in Brussels twice and attend several sessions. These experiences reinforced the theoretical knowledge I had gained during my studies by allowing me to observe EU decision-making mechanisms first-hand, providing direct insights into institutional operations and political processes.
Both the coursework and the thesis phase contributed significantly to developing my research and presentation skills, and allowed me to understand more deeply how EU policymaking is translated from theory into practice. All these experiences broadened my perspective on the European Union and enhanced my ability to conduct solution-oriented analyses by integrating multiple disciplinary viewpoints. Consequently, I have gained valuable academic and personal experiences that continue to shape both my professional and social life.
Although Türkiye–EU relations have long been complex and multidimensional, they continue to maintain their depth, nourished by strong historical and cultural ties. In my view, the key challenge today lies in developing new intellectual approaches that recognise the mutual added value both sides bring to the relationship, thereby fostering a more consistent and sustainable foundation for cooperation. From an economic perspective — my core area of expertise — updating the Customs Union stands out as a tangible and constructive step forward in Türkiye–EU relations.
What advice would you give to prospective Jean Monnet scholars?
I would first recommend that prospective Jean Monnet scholars familiarise themselves with the EU acquis (acquis communautaire), Türkiye–EU relations, and their intended field of study. They should also thoroughly research their target country, university, and programme and apply for the scholarship once they meet the necessary criteria. In my case, the process began when I came across a scholarship announcement at Istanbul University’s Beyazıt Campus. It allowed me to realise a dream that I could not have achieved individually, significantly contributing to my academic and personal development.
The Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme offers participants not only academic specialisation but also personal growth and the opportunity to gain a broader perspective on Europe and the world. I believe it is important for scholars to see themselves as informal ambassadors of Türkiye during their time abroad — continuing their academic work while also engaging with the social and cultural life of their host country.
I encourage scholars to take an active role in classes and group projects, spend time in libraries to strengthen their research, assignment, and presentation skills, and participate in study visits, seminars, and conferences. This journey teaches one to embrace new perspectives, approach academic and social challenges with innovative methods, and develop openness to international dialogue and collaboration.
The experience will undoubtedly provide inspiration for scholars’ future academic, professional, and social endeavours. Moreover, it will allow them to transfer the knowledge and expertise gained abroad back to Türkiye, thereby contributing — directly or indirectly — to the advancement of Türkiye–EU relations.
Additionally, I recommend that scholars learn the local language, and if possible, other foreign languages; explore their surroundings beyond academic settings; visit museums and exhibitions; and attend cultural events such as concerts and theatre performances. Immersing themselves in the local culture, history, and social life will enrich their experience, supporting both their academic and personal growth while enabling them to view Europe and Türkiye–EU relations from a genuinely multidimensional perspective.
