Aykan Erdemir

 

aykanerdemir.jpgAykan Erdemir is a social anthropologist based in Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. Besides working as an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, he also serves as the Deputy Dean of the Graduate School of Social Sciences. In 2007, Erdemir became the METU director of the newly established German-Turkish Masters Program in Social Sciences (GeT MA), a dual-diploma program of Humboldt-Universität and METU.

 

Erdemir works on faith-based collective action of Turkish and European Alevis, work and remittance strategies of Turkish immigrants in London and New York, and competitive sharing and museumification of religious sites in Turkey. He has been involved in research projects funded by the Wenner Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, National Science Foundation (NSF), the European Union Framework Programs, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), Harvard University, and METU. Erdemir teaches courses on social and political anthropology, ethnographic field research, and anthropology of Europe and the Middle East.

 

Erdemir serves on the editorial/advisory boards of Migration Letters, Alevi Bektaşi Research Website, Anatolian Journal of Folk Religion, Journal of Sociological Research, and Toplum ve Demokrasi. He serves on the executive boards of Sociological Association of Turkey and Association for the Research of Anatolian Folk Beliefs as well as the advisory board of Garip Dede Türbesi Koruma Onarma ve Yaşatma Derneği. As an outspoken critic of Sunni discrimination of Alevis in Turkey, he appears frequently in TV, radio, and print media to advocate for secular democracy and religious freedoms in Turkey.

 

Education

2002-2004: Doctoral Fellow at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

1997-2004: Ph.D. in Social Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University. Dissertation Title: Incorporating Alevis: The Transformation of Governance and Faith-Based Collective Action in Turkey.

1996-1998: MA. Middle Eastern Studies. Harvard University.

1992-1996: BA. International Relations. Bilkent University, Ankara.

1985-1992: Robert College, Istanbul.

1980-1985: İnal Ertekin İlkokulu, Bursa.

Books and Reports (in English)

1.      Social Dynamics of Global Terrorism and Prevention Policies. Amsterdam: IOS Press, 2008. (ISBN 978-1-58603-851-9) [co-edited with Nilay Çabuk-Kaya]

2.      Alevism-Bektashism: A Brief Introduction. Rabia Harmanşah, Kaan Evren Başaran and Aykan Erdemir, translators. London: England Alevi Cultural Centre & Cem Evi, 2006. (ISBN 975-98065-3-3) [co-authored with Ali Yaman]

3.      Alevism-Bektashism: A Brief Introduction. Rabia Harmanşah, Kaan Evren Başaran and Aykan Erdemir, translators. Istanbul: Cem Foundation Publications, 2006. (ISBN 975-94071-8-3) [co-authored with Ali Yaman]

4.      Results of Opinion Polls Conducted in Six Cities: Promoting and Protecting Women and Girls' Human Rights -UN Joint Programme. Ankara: United Nations, 2006. [co-authored with Ayşe Güneş Ayata and Ayça Ergun Özbolat]

Articles and Chapters (in English)

1.      "Social Dynamics of Global Terrorism and Prevention Policies: An Introduction" in Social Dynamics of Global Terrorism and Prevention Policies. Nilay Çabuk-Kaya and Aykan Erdemir (eds.). Amsterdam: IOS Press, 2008. (ISBN 978-1-58603-851-9) [co-authored with Nilay Çabuk-Kaya]

2.      "Alevis want rights first and foremost", Turkish Daily News, December 5, 2007. [Summary translation of the Milliyet interview by Devrim Sevimay]

3.      "Work Strategies among Turkish Immigrants in London: Differentiating Irregularity and Solidarity" in Irregular Migration, Informal Labour and Community: A Challenge for Europe. Erik Berggren, Branka Likic-Brboric, Gülay Toksöz, Nicos Trimikliniotis (eds.). Aachen: Shaker Verlag, 2007, pp.294-313. (ISBN 978-90-423-0317-1) [co-authored with Ellie Vasta]

4.      "Aleviti, sunniti, sciiti: analogie e differenze" I & II. The Observatory on the Balkans, 24 August 2007 & 27 August 2007. (Interview of Aykan Erdemir and Mustafa Şen by Fabio Salomoni) [in Italian]

5.      "Differentiating irregularity and solidarity: Turkish Immigrants at work in London", Centre on Migration, Policy and Society Working Paper, No. 42. University of Oxford (2007). [co-authored with Ellie Vasta]

6.      "Book Review: The Meanings of Social Life: A Cultural Sociology", International Sociology (2006), vol.21, no.6, pp.831-834.

7.      "Tradition and Modernity: Alevis' Ambiguous Terms and Turkey's Ambivalent Subjects", Middle Eastern Studies (2005) vol.41, no.6, pp.937-951.

8.      "An Interview on Alevism with Ambassador Kretschmer, Head of the European Commission Delegation to Turkey", Kırkbudak: Journal of Anatolian Folk Beliefs (2005), no.2. pp.23-30. [co-authored with Ahmet Kerim Gültekin]

9.      "Book Review: Islamic Britain: Religion, Politics and Identity among British Muslims", International Journal of Middle East Studies (2004), vol.36, no.1, pp.152-154.

10.  "Yılmaz Güney" in Encyclopedia of Modern Asia, Volume 2, Levinson, David and Karen Christensen, et al., eds. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002, p.463.

11.  "Book Review: Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey", The Middle East and South Asia Folklore Bulletin (1999), vol.16, no.3, pp.7-8.

 

Publications (in Turkish)

1.      "Muhafazakarlık, Din ve AKP", Refleks, no.6, May 2008. [Interview by Barış Yürümez]

2.      "Gör nic'olur ayaktakımı ayaklananda", Taraf, May 9, 2008.

3.      "Yolu Gençlerden Öğrenmek", Habercem, May 2, 2008.

4.      "Eloğluyla Yolun Binbir Süreğinin Peşi Sıra", Habercem, April 18, 2008.

5.      "Yeni Güne Eski Adet", Star, March 30, 2008. [Article title was changed to " Ha Nevruz ha Newroz: 72 milletin ortak bayramı" by the newspaper editor]

6.      "Hazır İnanç Özgürlüğü Demişken: Sünni(lik)ler Nasıl Kurtulur?", Star, Febuary 10, 2008. [Article title was changed to "Sünnileri ve Sünnilikleri tek tipleştirme makinesi" by the newspaper editor]

7.       "Alevi 'Önce Hak' diyor", Milliyet, December 3, 2007. [Interview by Devrim Sevimay]

8.      "İnançsal Mekanlarda Maddi ve Manevi Kültürel Mirasın Korunması", in GAP Bölgesinde Alevi Bektaşi Yerleşmeleri ve Şanlıurfa Kültür Mozayığında Kısas. Istanbul, Cem Vakfı, 2007, pp. 243-247.

9.      "Ayrımcılığın Kültürel Altyapısı: Zihniyet Değişimi için Yeni Yaklaşımlar", in Aleviler, Ayrımcılık ve İnsan Hakları: Ayrımcılıkla Mücadelede Bir El Kitabı. Cahit Korkmaz, ed. Ankara: Hacı Bektaş Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı, 2007, pp.5-12.

10.   "'Mahalle Baskısı' yahut On Bir Ayın İkirciği", Gazete ODTÜLÜ, November 11, 2007.

11.   "Siyasal İslam Kendi Mezarını Kazıyor", Alevilerin Sesi (September 2007), no.108, pp.46-47. [Interview by Tuncer Baş and Bektaş Kılıç].

12.   "İnançsal Mekanlarda Esnek Koruma: Maddi ve Manevi Kültürel Mirasa Bütüncül Yaklaşım", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2007), no.10. [co-authored with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir]

13.   "Londra'ya Uyum, Londralı'nın Uyumu", Telgraf, p.17, March 27, 2007.

14.   "Kentlerde Alevi-Sünni Sınırı Yumuşuyor", Milliyet, March 26, 2007. [with Sencer Ayata and Mustafa Şen]

15.  "Sünnilik Bildirgesi Gereksinimi: Türkiye'de Din-Devlet İlişkileri Sorunsalında Ezber Bozmak", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2006), no.9, pp.6-12.

16.  "Göçmen Dayanışması", Telgraf, p.13, February 20, 2007.

17.  "Genellemelerin Cazibesi", Telgraf, p.17, February 6, 2007.

18.  "Muharrem'de Birarada Yaşamı Savunmak", Telgraf, p.23, January 23, 2007.

19.  "Uluslararası Göçmenler Günü", Telgraf, p.17, January 9, 2007.

20.  "Sınırlar(ımızı) Aşan İnanç", Telgraf, p.8, December 19, 2006.

21.  "Hatemi, Papa ve Köleler Medeniyeti", BirGün, December 9, 2006.

22.  "Tartışma: Dünyada ve Türkiye'de İstihdamsız Büyüme Sorunu - Sosyal Demokrat Seçenekler", in Sosyal Demokrat Düşünce Platformu: Kitap 3. Erol Tuncer and Hanife Yurtseven, eds. Ankara: Sosyal Demokrasi Derneği, 2006, pp.204-206, 221-223.

23.  "İşçi Dövizlerinin Küresel Artışı", Telgraf, p.17, December 5, 2006.

24.  "Medeniyetler İttifakı Raporu'nda Göç Vurgusu", Telgraf, p.17, November 21, 2006.

25.  "Ozan Figani ve Teslimi Baba ile Londra'da Göçmen ve Alevi Olmak Üzerine Söyleşi: İkinci Bölüm", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2006), no.8, pp.106-110.

26.  "Küresel Göç ve GLOMIG", Telgraf, p.17, November 7, 2006.

27.  "Yumurtalar Sepete, Gözler İsveç'e", BirGün, October 27, 2006.

28.  "Hoşgeldin Papatya!", Telgraf, p.17, October 24, 2006.

29.  "Uygarlıklar Arasında mı, İçinde mi?", Telgraf, p.17, October 10, 2006.

30.  "Londra'ya Sığınmak", Telgraf, p.17, September 26, 2006.

31.  Alevilik-Bektaşilik Nedir? Istanbul: Cem Vakfı Yayınları, 2006. (ISBN 975-94071-8-3) [co-authored with Ali Yaman]

32.  "Göçmen Tehlikesi", Telgraf, p.17, September 12, 2006.

33.  "Göçmence İnancın Sırrı", Telgraf, p.8, August 29, 2006.

34.  "Ozan Figani ve Teslimi Baba ile Londra'da Göçmen ve Alevi Olmak Üzerine Söyleşi: Birinci Bölüm", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2006), no.7, pp.55-65.

35.  "Ayaklarıyla Oy Verenler", Telgraf, p.17, August 15, 2006.

36.  "Bir Sünnilik Sorunu Olarak Alevilik", BirGün, August 15, 2006.

37.  "Mihman Gözüyle Göç", Telgraf, p.15, August 1, 2006.

38.  "Göçmenler Sömürüye Daha Açık", Telgraf, pp.22-23, July 25, 2006. (Interview)

39.  Altı İlde Yapılan Kamuoyu Araştırması Sonuçları: Kadın ve Kız Çocuklarının İnsan Haklarının Korunması ve Geliştirilmesi -Birleşmiş Milletler Ortak Programı. Ankara: Birleşmiş Milletler, 2006. [co-authored with Ayşe Güneş Ayata and Ayça Ergun Özbolat]

40.  "Turnanın Semahı ve Ezoterizmin Zamanı: Bektaşi ve Alevi Zaman Kavrayışları", Cogito (2006), no.46, pp.260-279. [co-authored with Rabia Harmanşah]

41.  "Mütekevvin Alevilikler: Kent Koşullarında Dönüşen Cem Uygulamaları", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2006), no.6, pp.60-68.

42.  "Sünnilik İslam'ın İçinde mi?", BirGün, March 20, 2006.

43.  "Sosyal Demokrasi ve Yeni Göç: Türkiye'de Ezber Bozmak", Sosyal Demokrat Açılım (2006) no.3:15-17.

44.  "Aleviler ve Topluma Eklemlenme Sorunsalı" in Türkiye'de Çoğunluk ve Azınlık Politikaları: AB Sürecinde Yurttaşlık Tartışmaları. Ayhan Kaya and Turgut Tarhanlı, eds.  İstanbul: Türkiye Ekonomik ve Sosyal Etüdler Vakfı, 2005, pp.127-144. [co-authored with Tahire Erman]

45.  "İlahiyat Kökenli Araştırmacıların Alevilik ve Bektaşilik Üzerine Çalışmalarında Öz-Düşünümsellik" in Uluslararası Bektaşilik ve Alevilik Sempozyumu I: Bildiriler ve Müzakereler. Isparta: Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi, 2005, pp.195-201.

46.  "Güvenlik ve Bilim Arasında İnanç: Bektaşilik ve Alevilik Sempozyumunun Ardından", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2005), no.4, pp.90-94.

47.  "Kent Koşullarında Dönüşen Cem Uygulamaları" in Alevi Tören ve Ritüelleri: Cem, Cenaze, Kurban. Ankara: Hacı Bektaş Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı, 2005, pp.297-303, 314-316.

48.  "Homojen Toplumsal Yapıyı Allah Düşmanıma Vermesin", BirGün, August 23, 2005.

49.  "Alevi Kimliği" in Konferanslar 2004-2005. Ankara: Hacı Bektaş Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı, 2005, pp.96-100, 123-125, 133-136.

50.  "Tarih ve Kimlik" in Konferanslar 2004-2005. Ankara: Hacı Bektaş Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı, 2005, pp.58-62, 86-88.

51.  "Avrupa Komisyonu Türkiye Temsilcisi Büyükelçi Hansjörg Kretschmer ile Alevilik Üzerine Görüşme", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2005), no.2. pp.15-22. [co-authored with Ahmet Kerim Gültekin]

52.  "Avrupa Komisyonu Raporlarında Aleviler" Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2005), no.2. pp.5-14.

53.  "Pinhan Tarih: Alevilik, Antropoloji ve Arkeoloji", Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları (2005), no.1. pp.89-94. [co-authored with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir]

54.  "Baş kaldırma parmak kaldır!", BirGün, January 12, 2005. [Article title was changed to "ABD'ye başkaldır!" by the newspaper editor]

55.  Translation of Nur Yalman's "Türkiye'nin Avrupa'ya öğretebileceği çok şey var", BirGün, January 2, 2005.

56.  "Alevi Nettaşlar: İnternet'te Folklor ve Antropoloji'nin Sınırlarını Zorlamak", Halkbilimi (2001), vol.14, pp.58-61.

57.  "Nüfus Cüzdanlarındaki Din Bölümü ve Türk Muhafazakarlarının Bilinçaltı", Kızıldeli (2001), vol.4, pp.58-59.

58.  "Önsöz" in Bir Türk Diplomatın Gözüyle Avrupa Birliği. Funda Tezok. Istanbul: Institut für Türkisch-Europäische Studien, 2001, pp.3-4.

 

 

Professional Talks

 

1.      "Toplumsal Dönüşüm Sürecinde Aleviler", 13. Ulusal Pir Ahmet Etkinlikleri, Sofça Köyü, Kütahya (1 June 2008)

2.      "Internationalization of Social Sciecnes and Humanities in Turkey ", ESSHRA Working Conference on Internationalisation of Social Sciences and Humanities: How about the Developing Countries? Middle East Technical University, Ankara (9-10 May 2008). [co-authored with Sencer Ayata]

3.      "Shared and unshared challenges for social sciences and humanities and science policies", GlobalSSH Working Conference on "The internationalisation of Social Sciences in a global comparative perspective - Challenges for SSH research and research policies: Regional perspectives, Competencies, Institutions", Paris, France (23-24 April 2008). [co-authored with Sencer Ayata]

4.      "Report about the Beijing workshop", GlobalSSH Working Conference on "The internationalisation of Social Sciences in a global comparative perspective - Challenges for SSH research and research policies: Regional perspectives, Competencies, Institutions", Paris, France (23-24 April 2008). [co-authored with Sencer Ayata]

5.      "Yeni Dönemin Eşiğinde Aleviler: Engeller ve Olanaklar", Alevi Bektaşi Kültür Tanıtma Derneği, Narlıdere, İzmir (19 April 2008).

6.      "Türkiye'de Antropoloji Eğitimi ve Müfredat: ODTÜ Örneği", Türkiye'de ve Dünyada Antropoloji Eğitimi Sempozyumu, Yeditepe Üniversitesi, İstanbul (10-12 April 2008).

7.      "Sünniler'in Din Eğitimini Yeniden Düşünmek", Anayasa Tartışmaları Kapsamında Türkiye'de Din Eğitimi Sempozyumu, Pir Sultan Abdal Kültür Derneği & Kırkbudak: Anadolu Halk İnançları Araştırmaları, Ankara Barosu Eğitim Merkezi (ABEM) (22 March 2008).

8.      "Yeni Dönemin Eşiğinde Aleviler: Engeller ve Olanaklar", Hacı Bektaş Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı, Sivas Şubesi, Sivas (16 March 2008).

9.      "From Raindrops to Hailstones: Environments of Insecurity in the Case of Emigration from Turkey to London", GLOMIG International Dissemination Conference: Global Migration: New Dynamics, Strategies, and Visions in the EU and its Neighborhood, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (1 March 2008) [co-authored with Besim Can Zırh]

10.  "Yeni Dönemin Eşiğinde Aleviler: Engeller ve Olanaklar", Hacı Bektaş Veli Kültür ve Tanıtma Derneği, Silivri Şubesi, Istanbul (3 February 2008).

11.  "Yeni Dönemin Eşiğinde Aleviler: Engeller ve Olanaklar", Hacı Bektaş Veli Anadolu Kültür Vakfı, Okmeydanı Şubesi, Istanbul (2 February 2008).

12.  "Türkiye'de Din-Devlet İlişkisini Yeniden Düşünmek", Pir Sultan Abdal Kültür Derneği Yenimahalle Şubesi, Ankara (27 December 2007).

13.  "Museumification of Contested Cultural Heritage Sites in Turkey: Accommodating, Incorporating, and Managing Diversity", Lecture Series on Comparative Studies in History and Society, Koç University, Istanbul (10 December 2007). [co-authored with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir]

14.  "Sosyal Bilimlerin Uluslararasılaşması ve Bilgi Temelli Kalkınma", Demokratik Değişim Hareketi Siyaset Akademisi, Ankara (1 December 2007).

15.  "State and Human Security in Global Migration", African Junior Diplomats Training Programme, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs [TC Dışişleri Bakanlığı Afrikalı Genç Diplomatlar Eğitim Programı], Ankara (20 November 2007).

16.  "Internationalization of Social Sciecnes and Humanities in Turkey" GlobalSSH Working Conference on "The Internationalisation of Social Sciences", Beijing, China (14-15 November 2007). [co-authored with Sencer Ayata]

17.  "Museumification of Contested Cultural Heritage Sites in Turkey: Accommodating, Incorporating, and Managing Diversity", IX. Conference on European Culture, Center of European Studies, University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain (23-27 October 2007). [co-authored with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir]

18.  "Competitive Sharing of Religious Sites in Turkey", International Workshop on Competitive Sharing of Religious Sites, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (6-7 October 2007). [co-authored with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir]

19.  "Transnational Shiites and Shiite Tran nationalisms: Differentiating and Desecuritizing Shiite Trasnationality", 10th Conference of the European Society for Central Asian Studies on Central Asia: Sharing Experiences and Prospects, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (12-15 September 2007).

20.  "Differentiating Irregularity and Solidarity: Immigrant work strategies among Turkish immigrants in London", International Relations Department Seminar, Bilgi University, Istanbul (14 May 2007).

21.  "Alevi Örgütlenmeleri", Dönüşüm Sürecinde Alevilik Uluslararası Konferansı, Garip Dede Association, Istanbul (13 May 2007).

22.  "State and Human Security in Global Migration", XII. International Junior Diplomats Training Programme, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs [TC Dışişleri Bakanlığı XII. Uluslararası Genç Diplomatlar Eğitim Programı], Ankara (April 17, 2007).

23.  "What contribution can EU Research on Citizenship, Identity and Immigration make to the definition of a Common EU Immigration Policy?", Citizenship and Identity in the European Union, National Research council (CNR), Rome, Italy (27 March 2007).

24.  "Migration Policies and Integration in the European Union: Impacts on Society and Politics", GLOMIG Second International Workshop on Migration to the European Union: challenges, rights and opportunities, Oxford University, Oxford (23-24 February 2007). [co-authored with Helga Rittersberger-Tılıç and Mehmet Okyayuz]

25.  "Ayrımcılığın Kültürel Altyapısı: Zihniyet Değişimi İçin Yeni Yaklaşımlar", Ayrımcılık Karşıtı Eğitim Seminerleri, Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Culture Foundation, Ankara (27-28 January 2007 & 17-18 February 2007).

26.  "Avrupa Kimliği", Avrupa Seminerleri: Avrupa'yı Anla(t)mak, Avrupa Öğrencileri Forumu (AEGEE), Middle East Technical University, Ankara (16 December 2006).

27.  Siyasal Kimlikler ve Toplumsal Hareketler", Sosyal Demokrasi Derneği, Ankara. (22 November 2006).

28.  "The Predicament of Culture: Turkey and the Knowledge Economy - Four take-home messages from a social anthropologist", Knowledge Economy: Experiences of Finland and Strategies for Turkey Workshop, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (21-22 November 2006).

29.  "1980 Sonrası Türk Sosyolojisinde Etnisite Kavramı", Fifth National Sociology Conference, İnönü University, Malatya (19-23 September 2006). [co-authored with Selahattin Erhan]

30.  Participant at the Anthropology in Turkey Workshop, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Halle, Germany (1-2 August 2006).

31.  "Immigrant work strategies and social rights: the construction and circulation of myths", COMPAS Annual Conference, International Labour Migration: In Whose Interests, Centre for Advanced Study in the Social Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford (5-7 July 2006). [co-authored with Ellie Vasta]

32.  "İnançsal Mekanlarda Maddi ve Manevi Kültürel Mirasın Korunması", GAP Bölgesinde Alevi-Bektaşi Yerleşmeleri ve Şanlıurfa Kültür Mozayiğinde Kısas Sempozyumu, Şanlıurfa (25-27 May 2006). [co-authored with Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir]

33.  "Human Research Subjects: The Harvard Experience", Orientation Graduate Seminar of the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (27 April 2006).

34.  "Solda Yenilenme", ODTÜ Sosyal Demokrasi Topluluğu Solda Yenilenme Paneli, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (26 April 2006).

35.  "Alevilik Üzerine Çalışmaların Değerlendirilmesi", ODTÜ Tarih Topluluğu Alevilik Sempozyumu, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (24 February 2006).

36.  "Avrupa Projesi Milliyetçiliğe Alternatif mi?", ODTÜ Sosyoloji Günleri, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (22 February 2006).

37.  "Türkiye'deki Ahıskalılar, Londra'daki Türkiyeliler: Göçmenlik ve Türklük Halleri", 9th National Social Sciences Conference, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (7-9 December 2005).

38.  "Immigrant Work Strategies among Turkish Immigrants in London: Differentiating Irregularity and Solidarity", International Migration, Informal Labour and Community in Europe Conference, Istanbul (1-2 December 2005). [co-authored with Ellie Vasta]

39.  "İlahiyat Kökenli Araştırmacıların Alevilik ve Bektaşilik Üzerine Çalışmalarında Öz-Düşünümsellik" Uluslararası Bektaşilik ve Alevilik Sempozyumu I. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi, Isparta (28-30 September 2005).

40.  "Lahcis and Alevis: Religious Continuity, Disconnect, and Prospects", 9th Conference of the European Society for Central Asian Studies on Central Asia: The Local, the Regional and the Global, Krakow, Poland (12-14 September 2005) [co-authored with Ali Yaman]

41.  "Risking all: immigrant work strategies and irregularity", COMPAS Annual Conference, Irregular Migration: Research, Policy and Practice, Centre for Advanced Study in the Social Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford (7-8 July 2005). [co-authored with Ellie Vasta]

42.  "Glocal Neighbors Near and Far: Re-conceptualizing Neighborhood in the Era of Global Migration", Fourth METU Conference on International Relations: Neighbourhood: Past, Present and Future, Middle East Technical University, Ankara (30 June-2 July 2005). [co-authored with Besim Can Zırh and Cemre Erciyes]

43.  "Hacıbektaş Festival Revisited: Performances, Embodiments and Displays at the Margins of Europe", "Performing Policy - Enacting Diversity", European Summer Carnivals in Comparative Perspective Colloqium, Humboldt University, Berlin (13-15 May 2005).

44.  "Kent Koşullarında Dönüşen Cem Uygulamaları", Alevilerde Uygulanan Cem, Cenaze, Kurban gibi Toplantı ve Ritüellerin Uygulanış, Biçim ve İşlevleri Konferansı, Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Culture Foundation, Ankara (2-3 April 2005).

45.  "Alevi Kimliği", Alevi Kimliği Konferansı, Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Culture Foundation, Ankara (15 January 2005).

46.  "Toplum ve Kimlik", Alevilik, Toplum, Kimlik Konferansı, Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Culture Foundation, Ankara (21 November 2004).

47.  "Politics of Alevi Sexuality in Turkish Sunni Cosmology", Sexuality Studies in the Middle East Workshop, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University (7 May 2004).

48.  "The Transformation of the Law of Foundations in Turkey", Works in Progress Workshop at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (26 April 2004).

49.  Commentator at Markus Dressler's talk "Redefining Religious Authority in Contemporary Turkish Alevism: The Modern Dede" Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University (17 March 2004).

50.  "Islamic Nonprofits in Turkey: Reconfiguration of Alevi Belief and Practice", 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), Chicago (19-23 November 2003).

51.  "Alevi Örgütlenmesi ve Hukuksal Çerçeve", Alevi Gençliğinin Sorunları Konferansı, Garip Dede Association, Istanbul (8 June 2003).

52.  "Transformation of Alevi Collective Action in Turkey: a Contextual and Processual Analysis", Works in Progress Workshop at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (31 March 2003).

53.  "A Critical Reassessment of Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Alevis", 36th Annual Meeting of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) at Washington, D.C. (23-26 November 2002).

54.  "Alternative Apocalyptic Narratives of the Alevi Religious Community in Turkey", Seventh Annual Conference of the Center for Millennial Studies, Boston University (2-5 November 2002).

55.  "Alternative Modernities? 'Modern' Alevis and Alevi Alternatives", Graduate Symposium on "Local Modernities: Islamic Cultural Practices as Sites of Agency, Mediation, and Resistance", Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (5 October 2002).

56.  "The 'Eastern' Alevis and the 'Western' Elite in Istanbul", Seventh Biennial Conference of the European Association of Social Anthropologists, Copenhagen, Denmark (14-17 August 2002).

57.  "The Predicament of Alevi Subjects at the Nexus of Supranational and National Sovereignties", Fourth Annual Globalization Workshop Conference, University of Chicago (3-4 May 2002).

58.  "History as the Battlefield of Activism: Politics of Alevi Historiography in Turkey since 1980", History of Activism, History as Activism Conference, Columbia University (5-6 April 2002).

59.  "Turkish Citizens of African Descent: Suggestions for Further Research", 10th Annual Boston University Graduate Research Conference in African Studies, African Studies Center, Boston University,  (22-23 March 2002).

60.  "The Other's Sexuality as an Idée Fixe: Demarcating Religious Communities in Contemporary Turkish Culture", Fixed Ideas Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Conference, Harvard University, Barker Center (01-02 March 2002).

61.  "Alevi Nettaşlar ve İnternet'te Alevilik", Contemporary Alevism Conference, Garip Dede Association, Istanbul (27 May 2001).

62.  "Death of a Community: Alevi Predicament in 1990s Istanbul", Boas/Benedict Graduate Student Conference, Columbia University (23-24 March 20