Dr. Sinem Abka works in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and holds a PhD in European Studies. Her academic interests focus on the effects of the EU acquis communautaire on member and candidate countries, particularly in relation to social rights and the integration of religious and ethnic minorities, including migrant communities.

In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Abka contributes to international higher education through administrative and project-based work. She currently serves as Vice Coordinator at the International Student Coordination Office of Dokuz Eylül University and has been involved in several EU-funded initiatives. Between January 2024 and October 2025, she served as Grant Awarding Coordinator for the COST Action on Migration, Religion, and Diversity, and she continues to work as a task manager in the EU-POLYMIG Jean Monnet Module in collaboration with senior colleagues.

Her academic work is informed by field experience gained through her involvement with UNHCR and international student coordination, where she has engaged with issues of mobility and transnational networks. As a former Erasmus alumna of Ghent University, she values the role of international exchange in both academic and personal development.

2013 - 2023

Doctorate

Dokuz Eylul University, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Avrupa Çalışmaları (Dr), Turkey

2009 - 2013

Postgraduate

Dokuz Eylul University, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Avrupa Birliği (Yl) (Tezli, Turkey

2010 - 2011

Postgraduate

Universiteit Gent, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Department of Political Sciences, Belgium

2005 - 2009

Undergraduate

Ege University, Faculty Of Economics And Administrative Sciences, Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü, Turkey

2024

Öğretim Yetkinliklerini Geliştirme Sertifika Programı

Vocational Training

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi

2013

41st International Summer School for Greek Language, History and Culture

Foreign Language

Institute for Balkan Studies

2008

Summer Intensive Course in Modern Greek Language

Foreign Language

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

2013 - Present

Research Assistant PhD

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2012 - 2013

Research Assistant

Dokuz Eylul University, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Avrupa Birliği Anabilim Dalı

2025 - Present

International Student Coordination Office - Unit Communication Officer

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2025 - Present

Faculty of Business Unit Representative at Rectorate Social Contribution Coordination Office

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2024 - Present

Assistant Coordinator of The Rectorate

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2021 - Present

AACSB Accreditation Commission Standard 9 (Societal Impact) Working Group Member

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2024 - 2024

Department of Scientific Research Projects - Team Member

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2021 - 2024

NGO Relations Commission

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2019 - 2022

Erasmus Program Department Coordinator

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2015 - 2017

SUNY-Albany Tanıtım Komisyonu Üyesi

Dokuz Eylul University, İşletme Fakültesi, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü

2012 - 2015

Erasmus Program Institutional Coordinator

Dokuz Eylul University, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü

Undergraduate

Humanities

Integrated Language Skills

Tuğba ÖZBEK Anadolu Lisesi Öğrencilerine Fakülte Tanıtımı

Institutional Promotion, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi İşletme Fakültesi A Blok Z 4, Turkey, İzmir, 2023 - 2023

Fakülte Tanıtımı

Institutional Promotion, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi İşletme Fakültesi, Turkey, İzmir, 2019 - 2019

Gelişim Koleji Eğitim Fuarı

Institutional Representation, İzmir Gelişim Koleji, Turkey, İzmir, 2016 - 2016

Fakülte Tanıtımı

Institutional Promotion, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi İşletme Fakültesi, Turkey, İzmir, 2016 - 2016

2025

Ünalp Çepel Z., Abka S.

Workshop on Crossroads of Learning: Exploring the Intersection of Education, Migration, and Religion, Valletta, Malta, 3 - 04 March 2025, (Unpublished)

2024

Ünalp Çepel Z., Abka S.

A-NEST Avrupa Gündemi Konferansları II-Bizi Bağlayan Göç Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Konferansı, Bursa, Turkey, 24 October 2024 - 01 April 2025, pp.79-80, (Summary Text)

2024

Abka S., Ünalp Çepel Z.

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Uluslararası Göç Sempozyumu Göç: Mevcut Durum, İzmir, Turkey, 3 - 04 April 2024, pp.42, (Summary Text)

2023

Ünalp Çepel Z., Abka S.

VI. Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimlerde Kritik Tartışmalar Kongresi (ICCDSS2023), İzmir, Turkey, 4 - 05 November 2023, vol.9786259941370, pp.5, (Summary Text)

2022

Ünalp Çepel Z., Durmuşlar T., Abka S.

International Conference on Security Perception in Liminal Spaces: Opportunities and Challenges in the EU, Middle East and Russia, İzmir, Turkey, 12 - 13 May 2022, pp.127-134, (Full Text)

2021

ABKA S.

Europe and the migration of the Christian communities from the Middle East, Göttingen, Germany, 27 September 2021, (Summary Text)

2021

Abka S., Ünalp Çepel Z.

DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ ULUSLARARASI KONFERANSI GÖÇ: ÖNÜMÜZDEKİ YİRMİ YILIN PROJEKSİYONU VE ÖTESİ, İzmir, Turkey, 23 February 2021, pp.23-24, (Summary Text)

2019

ABKA S.

POWERS-PROJECT Workshop onReligious Fragmentation as Factor of Conflict and Migration: Christian Minorities in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, Göttingen, Germany, 23 April 2019, (Summary Text)

2019

Abka S.

7th SCF International Conference on “Future of European Union and Future of Turkey-EU Relations”, Uşak, Turkey, 11 - 13 April 2019, (Summary Text)

2019

ÜNALP ÇEPEL Z., ABKA S., DURMUŞLAR T.

International Conference on ”The Future of the European Union and Turkey-European Union Relations”, Uşak, Turkey, 11 - 13 April 2019, (Summary Text)

2018

ÜNALP ÇEPEL Z., ABKA S., DURMUŞLAR T.

ASOSCONGRESS 2018 - ULUSLARARASI SOSYAL, BEŞERİ VE İDARİ BİLİMLER SEMPOZYUMU, Antalya, Turkey, 3 - 05 May 2018, pp.288, (Summary Text)

2015

Duygulu E., Özmen Ö. N., Abacıoğlu Ö., Erbaş S.

7. Ulusal Lisansüstü Eğitim Sempozyumu, Sakarya, Turkey, 14 - 15 May 2015, (Summary Text)

2022

Abka S.

in: Europe and the Migration of Christian Communities from the Middle East, Martin Tamcke, Editor, Harrassowitz Verlag , Wiesbaden, pp.173-182, 2022

2021

Abka S.

in: Batı Avrupa'da Popülist Radikal Sağ Partiler, Aknur Müge,Saylan İbrahim, Editor, Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık, Ankara, pp.289-336, 2021

2023

Ünalp Çepel Z., Abka S.

Presentation, pp.1-15, 2023

2024 - 2027

Jean Monnet Module EU Policy Making on Migration (EUPOLY-MIG)

Erasmus Project , Erasmus Project, European Level

(Project Abstract)

Ünalp Çepel Z., Vural B. M., Aşkar Karakır İ., Abka S.

2024 - 2025

The COST Action - “Connecting Theory and Practical Issues of Migration and Religious Diversity" (COREnet)

TÜBİTAK - AB COST Project

(Project Abstract)

Abka S.

2022 - 2022

Leave No-one Behind

Other International Funding Programs

Ünalp Çepel Z. (Executive), Abka S. (Executive), Kolday M.

2018 - 2022

Peace, War and the World in European Security Challenges (POWERS)

Erasmus Project , Erasmus Project, European Level

(Project Abstract) (Project Final Report)

Kurtoğlu Eskişar G. M., Aknur M., Ünalp Çepel Z., Çilingir S., Abka S., Durmuşlar T.

2011 - 2014

Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at DEU (Jean Monnet Mükemmeliyet Merkezi)

EU Supported Other Project

Abka S., Balkır C., Cengiz Ç.

2012 - 2013

EU for Me (Benim için Avrupa Birliği)

EU Supported Other Project

Abka S., Balkır C.

2012 - 2015

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi

Publication Committee Member

2024 - Present

International Society for the Sociology of Religion

Member

2018 - 2022

The Academic Association for Contemporary European Studies

Member

March 2024

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Uluslararası Göç Sempozyumu

Conference Paper (Abstract)

February 2024

Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi

Other Indexed Journal

December 2018

Uluslararası İnsan Çalışmaları Kongresi

Conference Paper (Abstract)

December 2025

Sweden in the 2015 Refugee Crisis: A European Outlier? By Erasmus Trainee Elvira Hammar-Stockholm University

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Vural B. M., Aşkar Karakir I., Abka S.

Turkey

October 2025

Mülteci Hakları Çerçevesinde UNHCR'nin Küresel Görevleri-UNHCR İzmir Ofis Müdürü Eylül Başak Tuncel

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Vural B. M., Aşkar Karakir I., Abka S.

Turkey

May 2025

Model AB Çalıştayı

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Vural B. M., Aşkar Karakir I., Abka S.

Turkey

February 2025

Diverse Perspectives - Stakeholders in Migration Dynamics

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Ünalp Çepel Z., Aşkar Karakır İ., Vural B. M.

İzmir, Turkey

December 2024

Mapping Out Vulnerability: Climate Change and Syrian Refugees in Lebanon-Prof. Dr. Burçak Müge Vural ve Prof Dr. İrem Aşkar Karakır

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Vural B. M., Aşkar Karakir I., Abka S.

Turkey

November 2024

1st International Students Day Celebration Event

Social Activities

Abka S., Aşkar Karakır İ., Gelen Ş.

İzmir, Turkey

October 2024

UNHCR, Migration and Civil Society-By Eylül Başak Tuncel from UNHCR Izmir Office

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Vural B. M., Aşkar Karakir I., Abka S.

Turkey

December 2022

Mülteci Hakları Semineri - Doç. Dr. Sevgi Çilingir

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Kolday M., Abka S.

İzmir, Turkey

October 2022

International Culture Fair - Chess Tournament / Uluslararası Kültür Fuarı - Satranç Turnuvası

Social Activities

Ünalp Çepel Z., Kolday M., Abka S.

İzmir, Turkey

October 2022

Seminer: Türkiye'deki Mülteciler Hakkında Doğru Bilinen Yanlışlar - Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Zühal Ünalp Çepel, Araş. Gör. Sinem Abka

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Abka S., Kolday M.

İzmir, Turkey

September 2022

Üniversitelerde Mülteci Öğrenciler: Beklentiler, Sorunlar ve Çözüm Önerileri İdari ve Akademik Personel Çalıştayı (Davetli Konuşmacı: Doç. Dr. Gazanfer Kaya)

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Kolday M., Abka S.

İzmir, Turkey

May 2022

International Conference "Security Perception in Liminal Spaces: Opportunities and Challenges in the EU, Middle East and Russia"

Scientific Congress

Kurtoğlu Eskişar G. M., Aknur M., Abka S., Çilingir S., Ünalp Çepel Z., Durmuşlar T.

İzmir, Turkey

May 2021

Passengers of the Unity-ship - Let's Ask the UNHCR Representative Philippe Leclerc about Refugees in Turkey

Workshop Organization

Ünalp Çepel Z., Kolday M., Özgen Ö., Abka S.

İzmir, Turkey

October 2020

International Online Workshop "Decoding the (Un)conventional security issues between EU and its neighbors"

Workshop Organization

Kurtoğlu Eskişar G. M., Aknur M., Ünalp Çepel Z., Çilingir S., Abka S., Durmuşlar T.

İzmir, Turkey

June 2014

The Weekend School on European Innovation Networks and Knowledge-3

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C., Kuştepeli Y. R.

İzmir, Turkey

March 2014

The Graduate Research Studies Seminar-3

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C., Akgüngör E. S.

İzmir, Turkey

December 2013

Panel on the Evaluation of Turkish Industrial Relations system in EU Accession Process

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Erdut Z.

İzmir, Turkey

November 2013

Workshop on the Post-Lisbon European Union in Flux: Challenges and Opportunities

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C.

İzmir, Turkey

May 2013

Workshop on Competition Policy and Market Regulation

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C., Çamlıbel E.

İzmir, Turkey

April 2013

Training on Empowerment of Youth in Suburban Areas for Increasing Youth Employability - 4

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C.

Muğla, Turkey

March 2013

The Training on Empowerment of Youth in Suburban Areas for Increasing Youth Employability-3

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C.

Kütahya, Turkey

January 2013

The Graduate Research Studies Seminar -2

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C., Akgüngör E. S.

İzmir, Turkey

December 2012

Co-Existence in the Western Balkans and Stable Peace

Scientific Congress

Abka S., Cengiz Ç., Üste A. N.

İzmir, Turkey

November 2012

Graduate Student Study Visit to EU Institutions in Brussels

Social Activities

Abka S., Balkır C., Çamlıbel E., Cengiz Ç.

Brussels, Belgium

May 2012

Weekend School on "European Innovation Networks and Knowledge Migration to Turkey" -1

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C., Kuştepeli Y. R.

İzmir, Turkey

May 2012

Training on Empowerment of Youth in Suburban Areas for Increasing Youth Employability -2

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C.

Aydın, Turkey

December 2011

Graduate Research Studies Seminar - 1

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C., Akgüngör E. S.

İzmir, Turkey

Aralık 2011

Training on Empowerment of Youth in Suburban Areas for Increasing Youth Employability-1

Workshop Organization

Abka S., Balkır C.

İzmir, Turkey

2025 - 2025

Other

Workshop

Eurodiaconia and European Parliament, Belgium

2024 - 2024

Other

Other

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain

2022 - 2022

Other

Get Education

Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

2012 - 2012

Other

Vocational Course

EU Institutions, Belgium

2010 - 2011

Erasmus Programme

Student Mobility

Universiteit Gent, Belgium