Students who will take the ELAE on June 6th, 2017:

1. Students who have studied in the School of Languages during 2016-17 academic year and who have submitted on an online survey which was sent to them by mail.  (A petition is not required.) 
2. Inactive students who still hold exam rights & who have given in a petition to take the ELAE on June 6 th, 2017
3. Grad students

Location and Times:

WRITING & LISTENING            09.30 - 12:00 

READING                                   13:00 - 14:40

LOCATION                                 FMAN 1099

DATE                                          June 6th,2017

For the identification check to be done in time, we ask that students who will take the exam be at the exam hall half an hour before the exam starts and that they bring some official identification which includes their photograph (such as a passport, identification card, driver’s license) with them.

Students should also make sure that they bring a pencil, eraser and any other necessary pieces of equipment with them. 

Students are asked not to bring their mobile phones into the exam hall. Students are kindly reminded that if they bring their mobile phones, they will be collected.

The results of the ELAE will be announced on the external web page of Sabanci University on Thursday, June 8 at 9pm.

Postgraduate candidates who have taken the June 6th ELAE will be informed of their results by their faculties.

Detailed information about the ELAE and a sample of the exam is available at the link below. We recommend that all students who will take the exam check this link.

http://sl.sabanciuniv.edu/students/elae

We wish you every success in the exam.

School of Languages

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

2017 – 2018 FALL APPLICATIONS

The following programs leading to MA and PhD degrees are accepting applications for 2017-2018 academic year Fall semester. Contact names for each program have been provided for academic inquiries only. For administrative or procedure related questions, please contact Student Resources Office.

Conflict Analysis and Resolution (MA) 

Contact: Emre Hatipoğlu, (216) 483 92 60, ehatipoglu@sabanciuniv.edu

Cultural Studies (MA) 

Contact: Faik Kurtulmuş, (216) 483 92 82, afaikkurtulmus@sabanciuniv.edu 

Economics (MA/PhD)

Contact: İnci Gümüş, (216) 483 93 28, incigumus@sabanciuniv.edu

European Studies (MA) 

Contact: Emre Hatipoğlu, (216) 483 92 60, ehatipoglu@sabanciuniv.edu

History (MA/PhD)                                                                               

Contact: Tülay Artan, (216) 483 92 38, tulay@sabanciuniv.edu

Political Science (MA/PhD) 

Contact: Kerim Can Kavaklı, (216) 483 92 58, kkavakli@sabanciuniv.edu

Turkish Studies (MA) 

Contact: Akşin Somel, (216) 483 92 78, somel@sabanciuniv.edu

Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design (MA) 

Contact: Onur Yazıcıgil, (216) 483 93 34, oyazicigil@sabanciuniv.edu

Applicants must have completed their previous degree programs by September 5, 2017, at latest.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements for Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

IMPORTANT WARNING: All REQUIRED documents must be submitted during applications. Applications with incomplete documentation will not be taken into consideration. RECOMMENDED documents are not obligatory, but will be influential in the review process. (Please see the table for required and recommended documents from the link above.)

• The applicant must submit ALES, e-ALES, GRE or GAT result during application. Applications without a valid exam result will not be taken into consideration.
• Candidates are required to submit their English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL IBT, e-YDS, YDS, KPDS, ÜDS, PTE Academic, CAE or CPE) during the application. Applicants who are unable to provide a valid English Proficiency Exam score can only be admitted to graduate study upon obtaining a satisfactory grade in Sabancı University English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) offered in early June. Those candidates who fail to attend or get a satisfactory grade in ELAE exam are obliged to attend and successfully complete English Language Preparation course(s) in order to enroll in a graduate program. Scholarships do not apply to the English Language Preparation courses.

ELAE exam is not substituted for language exam in PhD applications. For PhD candidates exam results should be submitted during application; applications without these documents will not be taken into consideration.

Graduates of Sabancı University are exempt from submitting an English Proficiency Exam score provided that they apply within two years of their graduation. For PhD applications, SU graduates are required to submit language certificate as well.

Financial Support

A limited number of scholarships based on academic achievement are available in the form of partial or full tuition waivers and/or stipends.

Click for SU Graduate Scholarships.

Click for Graduate Funding, Other Opportunities and Awards

Please note that those candidates who fail to submit a sufficient English proficiency exam score and thus attend the course of English Language Preparation will receive no scholarship until they successfully complete the course.

Deadline

May 31st, 2017 is the deadline for the applications.

Applicants may be invited for written exams and/or interviews via e-mail. All written exams and interviews are held in English. For Turkish and international applicants who are abroad and unable to attend written exams and/or interviews, will be interviewed through Skype.

The Graduate Admissions Calendar

Conflict Analysis and Resolution (MA) 

Interview*: June 7, 2017, FASS 2054

Cultural Studies (MA) 

Interview*: June 19-20, 2017, FASS 2056

Economics (MA/PhD)

Interview*: June 20, 2017, FASS 2054

European Studies (MA) 

Interview*: June 5, 2017, FASS 2054

History (MA/PhD)                                                                               

Written exam: June 12, 2017

Interview*: June 15, 2017, FASS 2054

Political Science (MA/PhD) 

Written exam: June 12, 2017

Interview*: June 16, 2017

Turkish Studies (MA) 

Interview*: June 13, 2017, FASS 2054

Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design (MA) 

Written exam: June 13, 2017

Interview*: June 14, 2015, FASS 2056

 
 * Candidates are going to be invited via e-mail for the interview.

Applications:

Online applications are accepted via http://admission.sabanciuniv.edu/ . Application documents (official exam results, transcript, etc.) should be uploaded on the online system and application packages must be submitted either in person or post by mail to the address below. Please note that print-out of the completed application form should also be added to the application package. The packages sent via mail must arrive at the department by the application deadline. Applications sent via e-mail are not accepted.

Warning! All the application documents become property of Sabancı University. It is suggested to keep the original reports of TOEFL, GRE and ALES scores, and apply with the copies of those test scores. But please note that the originals must be produced at the time of registration to Sabancı University.

Student Resources Office
Sabancı University, Orhanlı
34956, Tuzla/ İstanbul-Turkey
www.sabanciuniv.edu
Phone: +90 (216) 483 9361
Facsimile: +90 (216) 483 90 73
E-mail: studentinfo@sabanciuniv.edu

XRD, an X-ray detector designed by a team led by Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Associate Professor Emrah Kalemci, was deployed into low-Earth orbit at 15.15 Turkish time on May 26, 2017.

Designed and developed by a team led by Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Associate Professor Emrah Kalemci at the High-Energy Astrophysics Detector Laboratory, XRD was deployed into low-Earth orbit from the International Space Station on BeEagleSat, a cube satellite developed by Professor Alim Rüstem Aslan from the ITU Faculty of Aerospace Sciences, at 15.15 Turkish time on May 26, 2017. 

XRD was designed in the High-Energy Astrophysics Detector Laboratory of Sabancı University. The circuit design, software and testing of XRD were completed at the Istanbul Technical University Aerospace Systems Design and Testing Lab (USTTL), where the BeEagleSat host satellite was also produced. The production of XRD was undertaken mostly by undergraduate and gradaute students (Erdem Baş, Deniz Aksulu, Şevket Uludağ, Eray Akyol, Ertan Ümit), Associate Professor Emrah Kalemci, and Associate Professor Ayhan Bozkurt from Sabancı University. The effort was completed as a Sabancı University Internal Project with TÜBİTAK 1001 funding.  

XRD WILL TRANSMIT DATA TO EARTH

XRD is an X-ray detector placed on an electronic circuit 10 x 10 cm in size, and will be used to measure high-energy X-ray backgrounds at various orbital heights. The system will operate for 30 minutes every other day and transmit captured data to Earth.

About BeEagleSat

BeEagleSat is a cube satellite that is 10 x 10 x 20 cm in size and hosts XRD.  The device was developed as part of the European Union 7th Framework Program. The project extends to 36 cube satellites that will perform a variety of scientific measurements in low thermosphere.

The cube satellite project was conducted by undergraduate and graduate students under the leadership of implementer Professor Rüstem Aslan from Istanbul Technical University. The main partner of the school was Turkish Air Force Academy/HUTEN, and supporting partners were Sabancı University, Havelsan A.Ş., Gümüsh and Ertek.

FIRST SIGNALS RECEIVED

The BeEagleSat project commenced in 2012 and was completed in 2016. It was delivered to a center in the Netherlands along with HAVELSAT, made at ITU USTTL, and other QB50 satellites. On April 18, 2017, the device was successfully launched on the ATLAS 5 rocket carrying the Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo vessel, and reached the ISS. Finally, the cube satellite was deployed into low-Earth orbit at 408 km on May 26, 2017 at 15.15 Turkish time by a cube satellite deployer made by NanoRacks. BeEagleSat powered up 5 hours after deployment and successfully transmitted its first signal. Once preparation tests are complete, the satellite will start transmitting data to the ground station located at ITU. 

Students who have Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate diplomas or students enrolled at universities other than Sabancı University can apply to the courses offered by Sabancı University to participate as special students. The candidates apply for special student status should firstly meet the requirements determined by the relevant Faculty/Graduate School for the level of English.

• To be registered as a student in a higher education institution to be able to take a course from undergraduate level,
• To be registered as a student in, or to be graduated from a higher education institution to be able to take a course from graduate level

Approval for special student application can not be considered as the approval of any diploma programs. Special students are not considered as Sabancı University student and can not benefit from the student rights.

Transcript on which courses registered and course grades are printed can be given on demand to special students.

Deadline for application: June 02,2017.

2016-2017 Academic Year Summer School Application Requirements

2016-2017 Academic Year Summer School Special Student Application

Mailing Address:
Sabancı University
Student Resources Unit
Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Cd. No:27
34956 Orhanlı-Tuzla
İSTANBUL, TR

Phone: 0216 483 90 93
Fax: 0216 483 90 73

E-mail: studentinfo@sabanciuniv.edu, ssadmission@sabanciuniv.edu

Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) and Akıneri Musical Instruments used graphene in a musical instrument for the first time in the world. A clarinet reinforced with graphene made by the Sabancı University affiliate NANOGRAFEN was introduced at an event held on the Sabancı University campus on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

After introductory remarks by Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Professor Yusuf Menceloğlu, SUNUM Director Dr. Volkan Özgüz, SUNUM Researcher Assistant Professor Burcu Saner Okan and Akıneri Musical Instruments founder Aydan Akıneri spoke about the instrument. The event concluded with a clarinet recital by Serkan Çağrı.

SCIENCE MEETS ART

Introductory remarks of the event were delivered by Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Professor Yusuf Menceloğlu. Menceloğlu said that the world's first graphene-reinforced musical instrument could be called the perfect harmony of science and art. Yusuf Menceloğlu said that the project was an excellent example of how materials science is adapted and engineered to the needs of musical technology.

AMONG THE PIONEERS OF THE GLOBAL GRAPHENE MARKET

Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) Researcher Assistant Professor Burcu Saner Okan stated that graphene was the prodigal nanomaterial of the 21st century. Saying that Manchester University professors Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov won a Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 for their work on graphene, Burcu Saner Okan explained that graphene offered exceptional electronic, mechanical and thermal properties due to its nano structure. Okan said that while the market for graphene-reinforced products was limited to a few products such as helmets, tennis rackets and touch-screens so far, the clarinet they developed was among the firsts. Burcu Saner Okan explained the advantages of using graphene in a clarinet: “The greatest improvement graphene brings to the clarinet is better transmission of sound. It takes much less effort to produce a notably better sound. Graphene extends the life of the instrument up to 10 years and prevents corrosion over time. While a conventional clarinet develops mildew due to the breath of the player, graphene is immune to it."       

Akıneri Musical Instruments founder Aydan Akıneri said that after experimenting with carbon fiber, they decided to use graphene to make the clarinet even stronger. Akıneri said that they had noticed Sabancı University's research on graphene and contacted the university to discuss collaboration opportunities, continuing: "We achieved excellent results within just two months and finalized the product." Akıneri concluded that their collaboration with Sabancı University would continue for similar applications in other instruments. 

The event ended with a short recital by clarinet player Serkan Çağrı. Serkan Çağrı said that there were sensory and structural differences between graphene-reinforced and conventional clarinets. “Both players and listeners note that the graphene-reinforced clarinet produces a brighter note while the sound of a conventional wooden clarinet is more muted. I enjoyed the vibrant tonality that the instrument had. Moreover, the instrument is stronger and less susceptible to cracking, which are obvious benefits for clarinet players. Having a clarinet crack just when you were getting used to it is a common problem musicians have. The graphene-reinforced clarinet prevents that from happening. I would like to thank both institutions for their efforts." 

“The World at My Fingertips”, a social innovation project by Sabancı University students, came second in the Social Category of the “Dream and We’ll Make it Come True” competition among 2080 submissions in 6 categories by 1458 students from 156 universities in Turkey.

Umur Kurtuluş, Altuğ Ceceli and İpek Köse, three students of the social innovation and entrepreneurship course given by Sabancı University Entrepreneurship Council Director and School of Management faculty member Dilek Çetindamar won second prize in the Social Category of the “Dream and We’ll Make it Come True” competition held by the Credit Registration Bureau.

Our students received their prizes at a ceremony held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.

The name of their project is “The World at My Fingertips.” The project aims to help sight-impaired people visualize the best-known landmarks and artistic works of the world. A team of volunteers will choose the landmarks to appear in the exhibition. Reliefs of these landmarks will be created, along with relevant information in Braille. Visitors will be able to explore these landmarks by tracing them with their fingertips, and receive more information about their history and significance. The exhibition will tour different cities to reach more visitors.

The first outputs of the Sabancı University Industry-Oriented Projects designed to foster a new dimension in university-industry partnerships, were shared at the Spring Reception held on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM). Guests included executives from over thirty companies in various sectors.

Introductory remarks were made by Sabancı University Acting President Professor Ayşe Kadıoğlu and Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Professor Yusuf Menceloğlu. Commemorative plaques were presented to project partners after the remarks.  The event continued with a cocktail.

 In her remarks, Sabancı University Acting President Ayşe Kadıoğlu said, "As Sabancı University, we pride ourselves on being leaders and pioneers. We believe that we breathed fresh life into the higher education system in Turkey. We have the infrastructure needed for industry-oriented projects and we are confident that the synergy will yield impressive results."

Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Professor Yusuf Menceloğlu began by explaining the purpose of the project. Menceloğlu said, "The motive behind this project is our belief that undergraduate students should gain a perspective of the industry as they complete their graduation projects where they encounter actual solutions faced by the industry and develop real-life solutions," and continued that they contacted all businesses regardless of the industry sector to offer partnership in Industry-Oriented Projects for things that the companies want to do but are unable to dedicate the required time and resources.

Among submissions from the defense, automotive design and components, information, electronics, chemicals, construction and consumer durables industries by 10 institutions, 17 selected projects were completed with Sabancı University cooperation. Partner institutions in the Industry-Oriented Projects program included Airties, Bonbon, Farplas, Havelsan, Hexagon Studio, Hayat Kimya, Karel Kalıp, Siemens, STFA İnşaat and Tübitak Bilgem.  Commemorative plaques were presented to project partners by Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Professor Yusuf Menceloğlu.

Students of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences had poster presentations throughout the event and said that their work with industrial companies enabled them to gain firsthand experience of professional life and was an important step in their careers. 

Sabancı University stated that Industry-Oriented Projects would continue, and called for new submissions to sop@sabanciuniv.edu. For more information about Industry-Oriented Projects, please visit http://fens.sabanciuniv.edu/tr/sanayi-odakli-projeler.

2017 Commencement Newspaper is published. 

Please click to read the first Commencement Newspaper of 2017 Graduation Class Committee.

Please email us for any further information at msk@sabanciuniv.edu 

In order to keep updated, do not forget to follow us our social media accounts :)

Twitter: @SuMSK2017

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SuMSK2017

Instagram: @SuMSK2017

Graduate students will be accepted for the 2017-2018 Fall Semester leading to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the following programs. 
Detailed information on research areas including basic sciences can be obtained at http://fens.sabanciuniv.edu.

Academic inquiries should only be posted to contact names for each program given below; for administrative or procedure related questions please contact to Student Resources Office.
Phone: +90 (216) 483 9093, E-mail: studentinfo@sabanciuniv.edu 

Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering 
The program emphasizes the latest developments and technological innovations in this globally emerging field. Areas of specialization include molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, and plant biotechnology.

Academic Contact: Batu Erman, 
Phone: +90 (216) 483 9530,  
E-mail: batu@sabanciuniv.edu  

Computer Science and Engineering 
Research areas; natural language processing, pattern recognition, formal methods, software engineering, cryptography and information security, network security, computer architectures, distributed systems, database systems, data mining, computer graphics and virtual reality, embedded systems, knowledge representation and reasoning.

Academic Contact: Esra Erdem, 
Phone: +90 (216) 483 9574, 
E-mail: esraerdem@sabanciuniv.edu

Electronics Engineering  
Research areas; wireless communication, wireless networks, sensor networks, signal, speech and image processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, data networks, RF, microwaves, antennas and propagation, RF MEMS and RF Circuit design, photonics and fiber optic telecommunication, high-speed electronic devices, microsensors and microelectromechanical systems, medical and industrial ultrasonic imaging, medical instrumentation, analog and digital VLSI design, ASIC and FPGA design, computer-aided design and testing.

Academic Contact Özgür Erçetin, 
Phone: (216) 483 9608,
E-mail: oercetin@sabanciuniv.edu 

Industrial Engineering  
The program focuses on production and service systems, integrated manufacturing, supply chain management, logistics, joint inventory-pricing decisions, product development process, modeling and analysis of manufacturing processes and equipment, manufacturing and technology strategies, fuzzy systems, combinatorial optimization and operations research approaches to telecommunication and energy systems. Emphasis is given to close collaboration with the industry.

Academic Contact: Ş.İlker Birbil
Phone: (216) 483 9548, 
E-mail:sibirbil@sabanciuniv.edu

Manufacturing Engineering

The Manufacturing Engineering program focuses on advanced manufacturing technologies. The research areas include manufacturing processes and equipment, computer-aided design and manufacturing, integrated manufacturing systems, additive manufacturing (3D printing), biomanufacturing, nano-micro manufacturing, composite and polymer manufacturing, andmanufacturing and technology strategies with special emphasis on industrial applications. 

Academic Contact: Erhan Budak
Phone: (216) 483 9519, 
E-mail: ebudak@sabanciuniv.edu

Materials Science and Engineering   
The program focuses on the interrelationships between structure, properties, and processing of materials for advanced technological applications.  Areas of ongoing research include semiconductors, synthetic and biological polymers, ceramics and composites at the nanometer scale, with particular emphasis on applications in nano-technology.

Academic Contact: Özge Akbulut, 
Phone: +90 (216) 483 9968 , 
E-mail: ozgeakbulut@sabanciuniv.edu

Mechatronics Engineering  
Research areas;  smart product design, multi-disciplinary design optimization, topology design optimization, metamaterials, microsystems, intelligent control systems, robotics, machine vision, haptics, computer aided engineering, renewable energy systems, embedded systems, process control, hydro-turbines, advanced seals, turbine blade reverse engineering. Two-phase flow, Boiling heat transfer, MEMS, Boiling instabilities in microsystems, Convective heat transfer, Critical Heat Flux, Microchannels, Cavitation, Micro- and Nanofluidics, Micro pin-fins, Cross flow, Electronics cooling, Miniaturization of heat sinks. Vibration analysis and control of engineering systems, vibration modeling of continuous systems, experimental modal analysis methods, dynamics of micromachining, design and fabrication of miniature medical devices.

Academic Contact: Ali Koşar, 
Telefon: +90 (216) 483 9621, 
E-posta: kosara@sabanciuniv.edu 

Mathematics   
The program emphasizes the interaction between pure mathematics and its applications, including those leading to interdisciplinary work. The main areas of concentration are number theory and algebra with applications in coding theory and cryptography, analysis and applications.

Academic Contact: Kağan Kurşungöz, 
Phone: (216) 483 9964,
E-mail: kursungoz@sabanciuniv.edu 

Physics 
In condensed matter physics the main research areas are experimental and theoretical semiconductor physics, mesoscopic and nanoscopic physics, and superconductivity. In high energy astrophysics, X-, gamma ray and optical obervations of compact objects (neutron stars and black holes) and their environments are the main areas of interest. Other research fields are quantum information and high energy physics.

Academic Contact: Emrah Kalemci, 
Phone: (216) 483 9614, 
E-posta: ekalemci@sabanciuniv.edu 

For Admisson : 
Admission Requirements and the Necessary Documents for Graduate School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Applicants must have completed their previous degree programs by September 05th, 2017

Financial Support: 
Financial support is available in the form of a monthly stipend and/or tuition waiver. Decisions on scholarship will be made by the Admissions Committee .

Deadline: 
Applications must be submitted by May 12th, 2017. After initial screening, interviews will be scheduled for potential candidates during May 22th – June 09th,  2017. Applicants will be informed by e-mail. It is highly recommended to check e-mails for candidates.


 

The Graduate Admissions Calendar

Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering (MSc. / PhD.)
Interview**: will be announced soon


Computer Science and Engineering (MSc. / PhD.)
Written Exam*: will be announced soon

 Interview**    : will be announced soon

(GRE Subject Test: Starting from 2013-2014 Spring applications, the CS program will request a GRE Subject test score from all international applicants. For 2017-2018 Fall semester applicants, please be aware that a GRE Subject Test score would strengthen your application; so submit your score document, if you have already taken the test.)

Electronics Engineering (MSc. / PhD.)
Interview*: will be announced soon

Industrial Engineering  (MSc. / PhD.)
Interview**: will be announced soon

Manufacturing Engineering (MSc. / PhD.)

Interview**: will be announced soon

Materials Science and Engineering (MSc. / PhD.)
Interview**: May 29, 2017

Mechatronics Engineering (MSc. / PhD.)
Interview**: will be announced soon

Mathematics (MSc. / PhD.)
Written Exam*: will be announced soon
Interview**     : will be announced soon

Physics (MSc. /PhD)
Written Exam* : will be announced soon
 Interview**     : will be announced soon

 ( The written exam covers the topics of the first & second year introductory physics, the third & fourth year classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics. Applicants who provide GRE Physics subject test scores may be exempt from the written exam.)


*All candidates are required to attend the admission exam at the given date.

**Eligible candidates are going to be invited via e-mail for the interview.
 

Applications:
For the Applications to Mathematics and Physics Graduate Programs, please click here. 
For the Applications to other Graduate Programs of Engineering and Natural Sciences, please click here.

Please contact studentinfo@sabanciuniv.edu if you have any questions regarding your graduate application.

Application documents (official exam results, transcript, etc..) should be uploaded on the online system and application packages be submitted either in person or post by mail to the address below. Please note that print-out of the completed application form should also be added to the application package. The packages sent via mail must arrive at the department by the application deadline. Applications sent via e-mail are not accepted.

Warning! All the application documents become property of Sabancı University. It is suggested to keep the original reports of TOEFL, GRE and ALES scores, and apply with the copies of those test scores. But please note that the originals must be produced at the time of registration to Sabancı University.

Sabancı University Gender and Women's Studies Center of Excellence (SU Gender) held the Gender and Peace Conference at the Karaköy Minerva Palas on May 6 and 7, 2017. Discussions in the conference focused on women's activism, gender and struggle for peace around the world. The keynote speaker of the event was feminist activist and academic Cynthia Cockburn.

The Sabancı University Gender and Women's Studies Center of Excellence held a two-day conference on Gender and Peace at the Karaköy Minerva Palas.  The conference had a rich agenda spanning experiences, thoughts and ideas on women's worldwide struggle for peace, and participants included keynote speaker Cynthia Cockburn, professor of international relations, comparative politics, gender, militarism and nationalism Cynthia Enloe from Clark University, US, and professor of gender and politics, women's movements and oral history Andrea Petö from the Central European University, Budapest.

On the first day of the conference, women activists spoke on how their paths crossed with Cockburn, a worldwide activist for feminist peace, and shared stories of how Cockburn strengthened the movement. Introducing keynote speaker Cockburn, Sabancı University Gender and Women's Studies Center of Excellence Director Ayşe Gül Altınay said that Cockburn’s thoughts were an inspiration to her since her student years.

“Masculinity is not genetic; it is rather a social construct”

Cynthia Cockburn, a leading figure in the "Women in Black" movement that formed in Israel in the late 1980s and spread across the world as a "network of action for peace", joined the conference with an exclusive video message. Cockburn said that she insisted on pronouncing the word "patriarchy" despite it being perceived as meaningless and risky, and argued that masculinity as the building block of the patriarchal system was not genetic in nature, but a social construct built by macro-politics. Cockburn based the ground covered and challenges faced by the gender movement on three pillars: the increase in examples that clash with the stereotypical; a greater number of male gender activists, and the effect of rendering sexual crimes invisible.

“It is not possible to fathom the source of militarism in Turkey without regard for women's rights"

Making a speech titled “Why Does Feminist Thought Matter at Times Like These?", Cynthia Enloe said that protecting and advancing women's rights was closely associated with opposing all kinds of militarism. Enloe expressed her conviction that women were not merely "soldier moms", "the avenged" or "homefront warriors", a point being repeatedly made by feminists, and were complete citizens instead. Saying that patriarchy only needed or honored women as long as they fulfilled their "loyal wife", "good mother" and "obedient citizen" roles, Enloe said: “Not enough.”

Women in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution: "Invisible, victimized, guilty"

Speakers on the second day of the conference included Andrea Petö from the Central European University, Budapest. In her speech titled “Remembering Women in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution as Illiberal Memory Politics”, Petö discussed the experiences of women in large-scale social change movements that are militaristic in nature based on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

Petö analyzed the Hungarian Revolution in three stages pertinent to women, saying that in the beginning of the conflict, women were made "invisible" and their role in a great social transformation was ignored early in the movement. She said that women were only involved in the legitimization of nationhood, where women were portrayed as "useful" to a national project.  According to Petö, as patriotic femininity was brought to the limelight, the movement was not women's struggle, but a struggle against communism. Andrea Petö said that alternative histories emerged during the implosion of memory, and the frame of truth changed rapidly. Invisible or "victimized" women then began to appear more actively in their "warrior" roles. Petö said that the Hungarian Revolution was another instance of the patriarchy defining women as "passive" and "culpable".

At the end of the two-day conference that was followed closely by civil society, academia and activists, the matters discussed previously were revisited in the closing lecture, where it was emphasized that women's struggle for peace was critical to introducing different experiences to the society and nurturing dialog.

“The United Nations perceives the peoples of its member states as 'men'"

In her lecture "Women Redefining UN as a Peace-Building Organization: The Transformation of the Women-Peace-Security Agenda into an Activist Agenda" moderated by Andrea Petö, Vanessa Farr criticized the UN's modus operandi for not including the feminist perspective, and argued that the organization consisted of principles for freedom yet regarded the peoples of its member states as men. Saying that feminists kept the glimmer of hope alive by refusing to be outcast for years, Vanessa Farr continued "We are on the UN agenda if we commit ourselves to the protection of the patriarchy, but if there is any sort of political agenda, UN ignores us." Discussing Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council, Farr underscored the importance of women's leadership and their involvement in the peace-building process for resilient peace. Vanessa Farr is a professor in the University of York School for Women's Studies, an advisor to various gender and women's departments in the UN Development Program, and an activist in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.