IPC Climate Cafe Talks continue with "A Historical Look into the Science of Human-Induced Climate Change"

The fifth bi-monthly Climate Cafe Talk organized by the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center was given by Professor H. Nüzhet Dalfes from the Istanbul Technical University Eurasia Geological Institute. Titled "A Historical Look into the Science of Human-Induced Climate Change", the lecture summarized the historical development of scientific work on climate change caused by humans, and discussed the synergy between climatology studies and developments in information technologies. 

This year's first Climate Cafe Talk series, a bi-monthly event featuring scientists and academics working on Climate Change to cover climate change-related issues from politics to atmospheric sciences, economics and psychology, was held by the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center. 

The speaker in the fifth Climate Change Talk of the series was Professor H. Nüzhet Dalfes from the Istanbul Technical University Eurasia Geological Institute, whose lecture was titled "A Historical Look into the Science of Human-Induced Climate Change". 

Professor Dalfes said, “Many believe that the impact of elevated carbon dioxide on the climate of the Earth is a recent discovery. In fact, the effects of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases have been known since the late 19th century. We have also been aware of the accumulation of carbon dioxide released by fossil fuels, the role of the oceans, and their possible consequences for almost 50 years." 

Future Projection in Climate Change: Deciding on uncertainties 

Professor Dalfes commented on the future of climate science:

“Higher spatial resolution, more realistic surface processes (like vegetation or carbon cycle), repeated simulations to overcome uncertainties, growing data sets and more powerful computers enable us to have a clearer picture of the future of climate change.”

About Professor Nüzhet Dalfes:

Professor Nüzhet Dalfes has been involved in climate, paleoclimate, and climate change studies for 38 years, and has a bachelor's degree in Physics from Boğaziçi University and a master's degree in Geophysics from the Istanbul Technical University.  Dalfes holds a PhD from the Rice University Astrophysics and Astronomy Department, and completed his dissertation at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, USA. He worked as a researcher at the Dynamic Meteorology Lab in France and the TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center in Turkey. He was an associate professor at the Boğaziçi University Environmental Sciences Institute from 1990 to 1992, where he gave lectures on climatology and ecology. He worked as an adminmistrator in information- and geology-related divisions at the Istanbul Technical University for many years. Currently, Professor Dalfes teaches at the ITU Eurasia Geological Institute, and works on research in regional climate change, ecosystem modeling, and informatics in ecology. He was a member of the (now defunct) Natural Life Preservation Society board of directors from 1992 to 1996 and from 2003 to 2004. Since 2012, Dalfes has been working on building a phenology observation network based on "citizen science"  (TRFeno), and an observation network of "phenocameras." 

About Climate Cafe Talks 

Climate Cafe Talks was launched by the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center in the 2017-2018 academic year. So far, the series held 5 events and received 200 guests, and plans to hold another 5 events in the 2018-2019 academic year. 

The bi-monthly event is a venue for scientists and academics working on climate-related issues to to reveal and discuss their work. Climate Cafe Talks provides an interdisciplinary environment to cover climate change-related issues from politics to atmospheric sciences, economics and psychology. 

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The international consortium where the Sabancı University Gender and Women's Studies Center of Excellence (SU Gender) is a project partner received 3 million Euros in funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 Program “Science with and for Society” Action with the project “Gender Equality Actions in Research Institutions to traNsform Gender Roles” (GEARING-Roles). The project will begin in November and last four years.

Photo: Zeynep Gülru Göker, Ayşe Gül Altınay

The coordinator of the project is the University of Deusto from Spain, and Sabancı University is the only Turkish partner of the initiative. The Turkish leg of the proejct will be implemented by Ayşe Gül Altınay and Zeynep Gülru Göker. The multinational project consortium includes universities and research institutions such as Universidade de Lisboa IGOT, Portugal; University of Ljubljana, Slovenia; Oxford Brookes, UK; Estonian Research Council; Yellow Window, Belgium; Euraxess-FEYCIT, Spain; Trilateral Research, Ireland; and Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Beginning in November and planned to last four years, the project aims to:

• Work on direct and indirect obstacles, and the underlying presumtions, facing women in hiring and promotion to improve women's status in higher education; create career development plans that foster an inclusive and merit-based institutional environment;
• Encourage women's participation in decision-making processes and mechanisms in higher education; alleviate gender-based imbalances in decisions and representation;
• Implement and reinforce gender knowledge and perspective in research and curricula; encourage and support the career development of woman researchers;
• Challenge gender norms and roles leading to inequality against women in STEM fields and men in social sciences; create a common framework for the efforts of project stakeholders on Encouraging Gender Equality in Research Institutions.

Gender Equality Action Plans (GEP) will be developed and implemented to address the needs of institutions. Project partners that will implement GEPs are Sabancı University, University of Deusto, University of Lisbon, Oxford Brookes, and Estonian Research Council.

Project partners will guide others in their respective areas of strength, and engage in mentoring and training, joint research, and dispersion activities.

Other project objectives are to ensure collaboration and joint efforts within institutions for developing and implementing action plans, building the mechanisms necessary to ensure sustainability, and to spread project work beyond the boundaries of the institutions.

Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum hosts the most comprehensive exhibition in Turkey sponsored by Sabancı Holding featuring Russian Avant-garde which shaped the art world in the 20^th century. Free entry for Sabancı University faculty members, employees and students.

Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum opens the exhibition ‘The Russian Avant-garde. Dreaming the Future through Art and Design’ sponsored by Sabancı Holding on 18 October 2018, open until 1 April 2019, featuring a comprehensive anthology of the Russian Avant-Garde. 

The exhibition is co-curated by Dr. Nazan Ölçer Head of Sakıp Sabancı Museum and Dr. Maria Tsantsanoglou, Head of the George Costakis Collection at State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki, and besides the Costakis Collection it contains a selection of 513 works from Moscow’s All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts and Multimedia Art Museum and works from leading private collections in Europe shown together for the first time thus shedding a light upon the important place Russian Avant-Garde occupied in the history of art. 

Sakıp Sabancı Museum is a part of Sabancı University and this exhibition that focuses on one of the most exciting periods of 20^th century art history aims to fulfil its academic mission by presenting the political strata behind the Russian Avant-garde in such a way as to provide a source. The exhibition represents the fertile productivity of the entire period and the activities of the artists and the schools that aimed to spread their art to every aspect of life with a selection including paintings, design, literature, film and theatre. 

The ‘The Russian Avant-garde. Dreaming the Future through Art and Design’ exhibition does not only focus on the dramatic changes and radical developments that happened during first quarter of the 20^th century and prepared the groundwork for intellectual and artistic progress, not just within the Russian artistic culture, but it is designed to hold a mirror to the effect on world art. The exhibition shows the Russian avant-garde artists that in the early 1900s tried to introduce art as a lifechanging power, the ground-breaking work of the artists in this period where the reformist atmosphere had been brought about by the October Revolution in 1917, and the social design they tried to put into practice supported by the new regime and also the wide boundaries of the future they dreamed of. The exciting technological developments and industrialisation that occurred in the early 20^th century turned the avant-garde artists towards science and overcoming the boundaries of the earth, dreams of space reflected the beliefs the artists had in the future and this is very vividly reflected in the works displayed in this exhibition.

One of the world’s most important Russian Avant-Garde collections, the George Costakis Collection at Thessaloniki State Museum of Contemporary Art forms the basis of the ‘The Russian Avant-garde. Dreaming the Future through Art and Design’ exhibition. The George Costakis Collection of Russian Avant-Garde collected with great passion by George Costakis and secured for future generations, contain works by important artists which are part of the exhibition including  Kazimir Malevich, the creator of art history’s iconic Black Square, Vladimir Tatlin, the pioneer of a new period of artistic theory where he obscured the boundaries between art and production, Alexander Rodchenko the courageous pioneer of photography, painting, sculpture and graphic art. Again, from the George Costakis Collection are works by representatives of the many female artist of the period such as Olga Rozanova whose work was based on interaction between text and depiction, Lyubov Popova who with her set designs contributed to the transformation of plays into the language of the theatre, and Natalia Goncharova who turned towards Russian folk art and undertook a determining role in Russian Avant-garde. The exhibition, ‘The Russian Avant-garde. Dreaming the Future through Art and Design’ is the first time the works of all the big names representing this turning point in 20^th century art history come together in Turkey. 

In the research into how the new art and society should be constructed, the applied artwork that reflect Russian Avant-Garde, which also consider Russian folk art, the collection of the examples of design covering all fields borrowed from Moscow All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts show the scope of the ideals of the Russian Avant-Garde to reorganize life and the history of people’s relationship with art. 

The large photo anthology of documentary character from Moscow Multimedia Art Museum, which also houses the photo archive of the great name of Russian Avant-Garde Alexander Rodchenko, shows the compatibility of the Russian Avant-Garde with new technology and opens a window to the private world of the artists. 

The effect of the transformative cultural atmosphere of the Russian Avant-garde can also be seen in the magnificent constructions and re-animations. The model of the construction of Vladimir Tatlin’s air vehicle Letatlin, gives an indication of the breadth of Russian Avant-Garde artists’ dreams of transforming life. The foundations of the modern theatre are considered by many art historians to have been laid by the Russian Avant-Garde and the Russian Avant-Garde theatre stage has come alive through new productions in all its glory at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. 

Thursday 18 October 2018 at 11, a tour of the exhibition will take place guided by the exhibition’s co-curator Dr. Maria Tsantsanoglou. During the exhibition, films, concerts, literary events and workshops for children and adults will also cover the different disciplines of Russian Avant-Garde in depth. A catalogue with articles about the Russian Avant-Garde written by esteemed art historians and specialists will accompany the exhibition. 

For more about ‘The Russian Avant-garde. Dreaming the Future through Art and Design’ exhibition visit Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum's web site

The Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center Mercator-IPC Research Fellowship Program conducted a new study on developing models for the social integration of refugees as part of ongoing studies regarding the relationships between EU/Germany and Turkey. A panel discussion on the study "Syrians in Turkey" was held at the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation on October 8 for a more in-depth look into the state of Syrians in Turkey and the policies implemented since the Syrian refuge began.

The research fellows of the Mercator – IPC Fellowship Program, the most important element in the Istanbul Policy Center - Sabancı University - Stiftung Mercator Initiative, shared the current state of Syrians in Turkey, various developments and different opinions. 

Research fellows who contributed to the "Syrians in Turkey" study discussed health, education, employment, gender, civil society and social integration issues. 

Being fact-based strengthens society 

The panel discussion moderated by Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center Research and Academic Affairs Coordinator Associate Professor Senem Aydın-Düzgit called attention to the fact that Turkey has received more than 3.5 million Syrian citizens over the last 7 years, emphasizing the following points: 

“3.5 million Syrians account for 63% of all Syrian refugees registered to the United Nations High Commissariat of Refugees (UNHCR). When the influx began in 2011, Turkey expected to receive a small number of Syrians as short-term 'guests'. But the length of the conflict in Syria and contradicting refugee policies in Europe caused Syrians to stay for much longer. By 2015, Turkey and the international community realized that Syrian 'guests' were here to stay, and had long-term needs that corresponded to the time they spent in Turkey. For many Syrians in Turkey, access to health, education and employment were their primary concern. Meanwhile, the vast range of experiences resulting from local communities encountering Syrian refugees in Turkey led to the need to analyze local dynamics, comprehend the notion of justice in host communities, realize sensitivities regarding politics and gender, encourage civil society initiatives, and finally to reinforce social harmony."  

It was also stated that developing models for the social integration of refugees was one of the key chapters in the Mercator-IPC Research Fellowship Program regarding the relationships between EU/Germany and Turkey. Bu kitapçık, söz konusu

The study provides in-depth look into the state of Syrians in Turkey and the policies implemented since the Syrian refuge began. 

The Mercator-IPC Fellows and their respective areas of focus were: Souad Osseiran-Health and Employment; Emre Üçkardeşler-Education; Gabriele Cloeters-Gender; and Hande Paker-Civil Society and Social Integration. 

Researchers called for attention to the following issues: 

-          Health: Access to medical services is critical for both Syrian refugees and international or Turkish stakeholders.

-          Education: Of the 3.6 million Syrians in Turkey, nearly 1 million are school-aged children.

-          Employment: Market conditions and restrictions on employment sectors and locations cause pressure on official working permits.

-          Gender: Since two-thirds of the refugees are women and children, the international process for border security and the administrative approach to temporary protection are important.

-          Civil Society: The discourse of the government and civil society has evolved from humanitarian aid to integration, and from emergency relief to continuity.

-          Social Integration: Since social integration varies on a local basis, it is not possible to draw national conclusions. 

The third National Sensitivity Conference organized by the Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects (CIP) was held at the Kozyatağı Civic Center in association with the Municipality of Kadıköy. Three speakers discussed "conscious parenting".

After introductory remarks by Sabancı University President Zehra Sayers and CIP Director Zeynep Bahar Çelik, AÇEV (Mother Child Education Foundation) Family Education Coordinator Ahmet Çetin spoke on the “Role and Importance of the Father in Supportive Parenting," saying that acts of "attentive fathering" such as taking responsibility in the care, nutrition and development of the child, providing environment and opportunities, sharing household responsibilities with the spouse, and acting in a participatory and democratic manner are influenced by gender and the social support the father receives from his surroundings.

Sexology trainer Rayka Kumru spoke on “Positive Parenting,” saying that sex education in children was less of a conventional training and more in the form of reactions to actions, answers to questions, and way of everyday living, and emphasizing that proper sex education was critical and required looking into the perceptions and values of parents and caregivers.

In his lecture titled "Life with Children," psychiatrist and author Yankı Yazgan called for everyone to think on questions such as "How can children comprehend life better and lead a more meaningful life as they look for the secrets of living together with others and living as themselves?" and "How can a child develop into an adult who values the lives of others?", drawing attention to the development opportunities life with children provides everyone. The conference continued with questions from the floor and active participation of educators and parents.    

In the first National Sensitivity Conference, representatives of the leading universities, high schools, private institutions and civil society organizations of Turkey had shared their experiences around the theme of "Youth Studies." The second conference held last year was on "Women's Studies" and supported by the Sabancı Foundation. Best practices from academia, the private sector and civil society on cooperation with the youth, women's empowerment and employment were shared.  

The 7th term of the Mercator-IPC Fellowship Program, an initiative of the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center and Stiftung Mercator, began. The fellows and their research topics were introduced in the Welcoming event held at the IKSV on Monday, October 8.

The new research fellows of the Mercator–IPC Fellowship Program, the cornerstone in the Istanbul Policy Center-Sabancı University-Stiftung Mercator Initiative, were introduced at a welcoming event. A Welcoming event held at the IKSV to celebrate the beginning of the new term of the Mercator-IPC Fellowship Program that aims to strengthen the academic, political and social ties between Turkey and Germany, and Turkey and the EU. Introductory remarks were made by Sabancı University faculty member and IPC Director Fuat Keyman and Stiftung Mercator Board of Overseers Chair Rüdiger Frohn. 

"The ties between Germany and Turkey will continue into the future"

Sabancı University faculty member and IPC Director Fuat Keyman noted that as of its 7th year, the program has hosted 44 fellows and 13 senior fellows, organized more than 200 panels, conferences and book launches in Turkey and abroad, and cooperated with more than 30 national and international institutions. Keyman added that IPC has published more than 100 global publications, prepared and published editorials, academic essays and papers in various outlets, and organized three alumni meetings in Istanbul.  

Saying that as an institution under the auspices of Sabancı University, IPC was represented in the last four COP (Conference of Parties on Climate Change) in Warsaw, Lima, Paris and Bonn, and was considered a significant point of liaison by Turkish academic and media circles, Keyman continued: 

 “IPC's main objective in EU-Germany/Turkey relations is to become a driving force that encourages partnerships.   With respect to our projects, we have emphasized the EU's role in Turkey's political transformation to a more democratic environment, and established a working group on diplomacy to focus on the revision of the Customs Union and refugee issues. Our work on the state of Syrian refugees in Turkey and the policies developed for them falls under 6 categories: Health, education, employment, gender, civil society, and social integration. 

We have also become a center for climate change studies in Turkey with the activities we have supported for building a network, recommending policies, and creating public awareness. Recently, energy transformation and the regional role of Turkey in energy policies are among our key areas of study."

Rüdiger Frohn: “Relations between Germany and Turkey are political and economic as much as cultural.”

Stiftung Mercator Board of Overseers Chair Rüdiger Frohn suggested that much had changed since the IPC–Sabancı University–Stiftung Mercator Initiative was founded, continuing: "We have had the chance to express differing opinions and reinforce agreeing opinions. We need results-oriented and friendly relationships in issues that serve our mutual purposes; we need more diplomacy and more understanding. I hope that the new term will be an effective and pleasurable year for our new fellows. I would also like to thank Mrs. Güler Sabancı for providing us with the opportunity to express these within Sabancı University."   

A range of research topics from EU/German-Turkish relations to climate change, energy politics and gender 

Following introductory remarks, the senior fellows of the 2018/19 term were introduced: METU European Studies Center Senior Fellow and METU International Relations Department Honorary Professor Atila Eralp and former member of the Federal German Parliament and Green Party member Özcan Mutlu. This was followed by a video summarizing the research projects of this term's fellows Annegret Warth, Maissam Nimer, Jannes Tesmann, Joanna Krzeminska, Yohanan Benhaim, Ender Pekerand Cem İskender Aydın. 

Research topics cover a wide range from the role of municipalities in German-Turkish youth exchange programs to access of Syrian youth to language education, workplace integration of Syrian refugees, the naturalization of Syrian refugees through cultural education, the effects of the economic aspects of foreign policy on Turkey-EU relations, climate-sensitive urban development, and conflicts regarding wind farms in Turkey.

Last Call for Erasmus + and Global Exchange Applications for 2018-2019 Spring semester.

Online Application Starts: 01.10.2018@9am – Ends: 15.10.2018@4pm.

For eligibility, application rules, agreements list and other details, please visit exchange.sabanciuniv.edu.

The Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) revealed its new report on oil:

The strategic conflicts of interest among Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States may destabilize the global oil market

The Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) revealed a new report by Head of Center for Energy Policy Research at Higher School of Economics, Dr. Vitaliy Yermakov on “Supply Dynamics among the "Big Three" Oil Producers : Russia, Saudi Arabia and the USA”. According to the report presented by Dr. Yermakov, the world is transitioning to a low-carbon future, and the strategic conflicts of interest among Russia, Saudi Arabia and the USA in the global oil market can lead to dramatic and destructive price fluctuations.

Bringing together key stakeholders in energy and climate issues, Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) continues to publish breakthrough reports. The report “Supply Dynamics among the "Big Three" Oil Producers : Russia, Saudi Arabia and the USA” written by Head of Center for Energy Policy Research at Higher School of Economics, Dr. Vitaliy Yermakov for the IICEC Energy and Climate Research Series was revealed at an event held in Istanbul.

Hosting the event, Sabancı University IICEC Director Prof. Difiglio delivered introductory remarks, saying “IICEC will continue to invite the most prominent names in the sector towards its mission of being a respected platform that brings together key stakeholders in energy and climate issues.”

Dr. Vitaliy Yermakov presented the report, discussing how the developments in the Russian, Saudi and US oil markets over the last decade shaped the petroleum industry, why and how their strategies changed over this time, and the implications of these changes on the present of the industry. The report presentation was followed by a panel discussion with Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Energy and Sustainable Development Foundation Energy Advisor Howard Bevan and Engie Turkey CEO Denis Lohest on the report and the industry in general.

Dr. Yermakov: “Russia may never be as strong as it looks, but it will never be as weak as it seems."

Dr. Yermakov began by underlining the rate of variability in petroleum prices. Discussing the impact of actual supply-demand balance and national strategies on the petroleum market, Dr. Vitaliy Yermakov said, "America, Russia and Saudi Arabia account for nearly one-third of all petroleum production in the world." Dr. Yermakov continued: “The boost in production reduced oil prices. The increase in American production was a surprise to everyone. Oil trade moved to new markets; in particular, the US began to aim for the European and Asian markets. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia started to play a more active role in OPEC.” Commenting on the agreement between Russia and OPEC being longer-term than expected, Dr. Yermakov said, “The agreement withdrew the excess oil from the market and brought some stability. Russia's tactical reduction of the Rouble's value in the last few years translated to stability in oil production over a longer term." 

Speaking in the panel discussion, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Energy and Sustainable Development Foundation Energy Advisor Howard Bevan said: “The term of the agreement between OPEC and Russia does not solely depend on the success of the parties. It is an opportunity yielded by the negativity of the situation and ongoing issues in other countries.” 

Engie Turkey CEO Denis Lohest said:

“We should focus on whether there is a possibility for the petroleum market to be split; it is important to note what factors will affect this market, and to what extent. Oil production has become a major influence on the petroleum market.” 

How did the "Big Three" shape the market?

The IICEC Energy and Climate Research Series report “Supply Dynamics among the "Big Three" Oil Producers: Russia, Saudi Arabia and the USA” study the dynamics that the three largest oil producers of the world created when they built the oil market, how they shaped the marketplace, and the current situation. 

According to the report, the world is transitioning to a low-carbon future, and strategic conflicts of interest in the global oil market can lead to dramatic and destructive price fluctuations. Under these circumstances, it becomes important to think of the whole timeline from the past to the present and the future, understand how the developments in the Big Three changed the oil industry, why and how strategies have changed, and what these changes mean. The report outlines the challenges faced by the Big Three, and takes a comprehensive look into the developments in the global oil market. The main issue observed by Dr. Yermakov in the report is how producer and exporter companies with different revenue needs and levels of financial resilience will reach an agreement.

Please click to read the report.

Sabancı University Vice President of Research and Development Şirin Tekinay was re-elected as a member of Board of Governors of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI) for a period of three years at the organization's General Assembly held on September 17, 2018.

Şirin Tekinay has been a member of the Board of Governors of Europe's largest communication network among actors in engineering education since 2015.  Last year, Tekinay helped Sabancı University become an institutional member of SEFI, which provides the university with priority in participating in SEFI publications, conferences and student organizations.

SEFI membership enables Sabancı University to look for top-level partners in European Union applications, like the Alumni and Career Office does in international internships, and brought our "Roots and Wings” education system a nomination for the Maffioli Award. Roots and Wings was shortlisted for the awards and provided us with a great opportunity to promote our university during the presentations of finalists at the SEFI Annual Conference in September 2018.

To revisit the news of Sabancı University's SEFI membership on February 13, 2018, click here  for the article "Sabancı University becomes a member of SEFI". 

Sabancı University Program for Undergraduate Research (PURE), is now accepting students for the 2018-2019 Fall Term. Application deadline for PURE 2018-2019 Fall Term is October 10, 2018.

To apply for a PURE 2018-2019 Fall Term Project, you need to register at PURE Website and select research projects offered by Sabancı University faculty members and researchers. Applicants will be assigned to projects on the basis of project supervisors' approval and applicants' project preferences. 

To register and login to PURE Website, you need to click on "My Account" at the upper right corner of the main page and follow the instructions. 

For 2018-2019 Fall Term Project List, please click here. 

For rules and regulations about PURE and detailed information, please visit the Application Page. 

For your questions, please contact pure@sabanciuniv.edu.