Ali Acikgoz

Dr Ali Acikgoz's research examines political parties in Türkiye as cases regarding the role of ideas and emotions in politics. He currently works on the project ‘Centre-Right and Factionalism in the Justice Party in Turkey: 1960-1980' as Visiting Fellow at the Middle East Centre, LSE.

Dr Acikgoz researches effects of ideas and emotions as variables in shaping political parties as institutions, and by extension politics. He utilizes the case of Political Parties in Türkiye via historical research. In addition he focuses on individual cases from Turkish politics. He follows a qualitative track in research focusing on processes of institutional change and events of stability.

Acikgoz holds a PhD in Political Science from the Department of Political Science and Public Relations, İhsan Dogramaci Bilkent University. He received his Masters degree in the Global Studies Program in Lund University, and Bachelors degree in the Dual Diploma Program run by SUNY Binghamton and Bogazici University. Before joining the Middle East Centre he worked as a part-time course instructor in Bilkent University and Antalya Bilim University. He also worked as an adviser in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Acikgoz's research has appeared in Turkish Studies, The European Legacy, Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, and several edited volumes. He was a holder of Swedish-Turkish Scholarship between 2012-2014 awarded by the Swedish Institute.