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Keyman Modern Turkish Studies Program

Promoting dialogue and scholarship to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary Turkey.

In the Spotlight

Discover highlights from the Keyman Program.

Queer Conditions poster with title

2021 Keyman Conference

Each year, the Keyman Modern Turkish Studies Program brings together scholars from around the world to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Turkey from a global perspective.

The year's conference theme is: Queer Conditions/Kuir Haller: Social and Political Change in an Age of Authoritarianism.

Conference dates: June 4, June 11 and June 18

View the 2021 conference program for more information
View our event schedule for all upcoming Keyman events

Our Program and Work

Understanding contemporary Turkey in connection with global social processes, problems and conflicts.

Featured Video

View a recorded lecture from our speaker series.

The Latest Keyman News

Explore news stories, media mentions, and announcements covering events, awards, and accomplishments at Keyman.

News and Announcements

image of film poster for documentary film Stray
MENA Languages film screening and conversation

Oya Topçuoğlu, Assistant Professor of Instruction and Director of the Turkish Language Program, in conversation with Kimberly Hart, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Buffalo State University, on the place of street animals in Turkish history and culture. Accompanied by a virtual screening of the documentary film Stray, and organized as part of Prof. Topçuoğlu's new course “Istanbul: Gateway Between the East and West.”

headshots of two speakers and book cover
Marc David Baer interviewed by Lerna Ekmekçioğlu

Marc David Baer, Professor of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science on his book Sultanic Saviors and Tolerant Turks, interviewed by Lerna Ekmekçioğlu, McMillan-Stewart Associate Professor of History at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, considering what moral responsibility the descendants of the victims of one genocide have to the descendants of victims of another. Recording now available.

Keyman article workshop title card
Keyman Program Article Workshop

Virtual workshop series for early career scholars of Social Sciences and Humanities, working on themes related to Turkey and its diasporas and preparing an article for publication, matches scholars with expert discussants.  Series concludes with spring sessions, and during academic year 2021-22 holds new sessions along with additional call for applications.

Keyman Events

An important component of the Keyman Program is our events. Below you will find a curated selection of our upcoming and recent events.

Featured Event

conference flyer thumbnail for kuir haller
2021 Keyman Conference

Queer Conditions/Kuir Haller: Social and Political Change in an Age of Authoritarianism.

June 4,  June 11 and June 18

The annual Keyman Conference brings together scholars from around the world to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Turkey from a global perspective. This year's focus will be Queer and Gender Studies, analyzing the role of gender identity and dynamics in facilitating reproduction of power structures, and mobilization of historically marginalized groups seeking to expose, challenge, and ultimately dismantle those structures.  This analysis tracks shifting relationships and opportunities for political action in a deeply polarized Turkey. 

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Recent Events

Jun
18
2021
2021 Keyman Conference: Queer Conditions | Kuir Haller III & Roundtable
Jun
11
2021
2021 Keyman Conference: Queer Conditions | Kuir Haller II
Jun
4
2021
2021 Keyman Conference: Queer Conditions | Kuir Haller I
May
17
2021
MENA Languages Monday—Turkish Edition | Street Animals & their Place in Turkish Culture: A Conversation about the Film STRAY

The Turkish Studies & Language Community

The Turkish studies and language community at Northwestern is interdisciplinary, extending from the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs to the Block Museum of Art.

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Ways to Engage

Learn about the many ways to engage with the the larger Turkish studies & language community at Northwestern.

Join the Community