Hacer Atabaş
Hacer Atabaş holds a double major in Political Economy & Social Philosophy and International Relations from Istanbul Bilgi University, a master’s degree in Modern Turkish History from the Atatürk Institute at Boğaziçi University, and a doctorate in International Relations from Bilkent University (2025). Her doctoral dissertation empirically examined the outcomes of Türkiye’s government-funded scholarship programs through a Theory of Change framework, drawing on in-depth field interviews with alums from Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, and Egypt. The study assessed the extent to which policymakers’ developmental goals were realized through beneficiaries’ lived experiences, offering evidence-based recommendations for scholarship diplomacy. At Africa Foundation, she develops and coordinates research programs on African political economy and Türkiye–Africa relations, with a particular focus on the Horn of Africa. Her work encompasses fieldwork planning, policy-relevant knowledge production, and editorial responsibilities, including her role as co-editor of the Turkish Journal of International Development.
Dissertation Title: Scholarships as Development Assistance: An Empirical Analysis of the Outcomes of the Turkish Government Funded Scholarship Programs
Supervisor: Selver B. Şahin
Graduation Year: 2025
Affiliation:
Foreign Policy Advisor · Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM)
Researcher · Africa Foundation (Afrika Vakfı)
Co-Editor · Turkish Journal of International Development (TUJID)
Research Interests: International Development, Development Assistance, Turkish Development Cooperation, International Higher Education, African Political Economy
Contact: LinkedIn ResearchGate