With the increasingly important role of Turkey in both the international and academic arenas, the Seminar on Turkey in the Modern World is a place for candid and constructive dialogue among faculty and students of Harvard University and the surrounding scholarly community. The seminar takes an interdisciplinary approach on subjects such as culture, religion, the arts, science, politics, and history. Scholars introduce their research findings for rigorous critique often in preparation for publication. The co-chairs try to balance complex topics and points of view, allowing for in-depth study of current issues and occasionally reaching back into history for analytical perspective. Speakers include scholars, journalists, artists, parliamentarians, ministers, and diplomats from Turkey, the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Cemal Kafadar, the Vehbi Koç Professor of Turkish Studies in the Department of History, and Lenore G. Martin, the Louise Doherty Wyant Professor and professor of political science at Emmanuel College, co-chair the seminar, which is co-sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

Current Academic Year

• 2012–2013 Seminar Schedule

Past Seminars

• 2011–2012
• 2010–2011
• 2009–2010
• 2008–2009