Girne American University (GAU) Faculty of Political Science represented our university and shared their academic research at the 5th International Social Sciences Congress, held in Kaş, Antalya, between May 1–3, 2026.

Organized by the Social Research Center (TAM) in collaboration with Girne American University and Aydın Adnan Menderes University, the congress addressed contemporary debates in social sciences and interdisciplinary approaches.

Opening Session and the Concept of "Turkosphere"

Prof. Dr. Ali Poyraz Gürson, Vice Rector of GAU and Dean of the Faculty of Political Science, attended the opening session as an invited keynote speaker. Prof. Dr. Gürson delivered a presentation on the concept of "Turkosphere," evaluating its ontological and epistemological implications within the field of Political Science from an academic perspective.

Paper Presentations and Academic Contributions

Within the framework of the congress program, our faculty members presented their latest research to the participants:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasibe Vehbi Şahoğlu: Vice Dean of the Faculty of Political Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahoğlu, joined the congress via Zoom and presented her study titled "Global Power Projection of Türkiye within the Framework of the Turkosphere Approach: An Analysis through the Case of TRNC."
• Lecturer Atay Demirel (PhD C): Faculty of Political Science Lecturer Atay Demirel shared his paper titled "Cultural Interaction and Common Identity in the Turkic World: Türkiye’s Role from the Perspective of Cultural-Epistemic Hegemony and the Turkosphere" with the attendees.

Closing Remarks and the Importance of Academic Collaboration

Lecturer Atay Demirel represented our university during the closing session held following the scientific proceedings. In this session, which emphasized the significance of academic cooperation and knowledge exchange, the outcomes of the congress and future academic prospects were evaluated.

This event, organized through the partnership of the two universities and TAM, facilitated the sharing of current theoretical approaches in social sciences and fostered inter-institutional academic dialogue. Our Faculty of Political Science remains committed to contributing to scientific literature by participating in such distinguished international platforms.