Aylin Aydın Çakır – Assistant Professor of Law, Politics and Quantitative Methods, Erasmus University Rotterdam (Erasmus Law School)
Quick Bio
- Undergraduate: Bilkent University, International Relations (2003)
- Master's Degree: Sabanci University, Conflict Analysis and Resolution (2005)
- PhD Degree: Sabanci University, Political Science (2012)
- Previous Positions: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Political Science, Senior Lecturer, (2021-2023); Utrecht University School of Law, Visiting Researcher (2020-2021); Yeditepe University, Assistant Professor of Political Science (2014-2020)
- Current Position: Assistant Professor, Erasmus Law School, Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
What does your current job involve? What’s a typical day like?
In my current position as Assistant Professor at Erasmus Law School, I teach a variety of methods courses to law students at undergraduate, graduate and PhD levels. I also supervise PhD candidates that work in the field of empirical legals studies. Alongside my teaching and supervision, I conduct my own research while also fulfilling administrative responsibilities. For instance, I am the academic coordinator of the European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE) Phd program, which is jointly run with four international partners.
How did your Political Science and International Relations education at SU contribute to your current position?
I am deeply indebted to my PhD education at Sabanci University for shaping my current academic career. During my doctoral studies I took six different methods courses- ranging from qualitative methods and survey design to advanced quantitative techniques and comparative methods. These courses not only provided me with knowledge but also fostered my passion for research methods in the social sciences. This foundation has guided my teaching and research path. Another important aspect of my PhD years at Sabanci was my experience as a teaching assistant, including responsibilities for SPSS course and some methods courses. These teaching opportunities gave me invaluable classroom experience, so that by the time I completed my PhD I had already developed strong teaching skills.
What was your favorite course in Political Science at SU, and why?
To be honest, I greatly enjoyed all the courses that I took during my doctoral years. I was deeply inspired not only by the content of the lectures but also by the teaching styles and supervision of my esteemed professors Sabari Sayari, Ersin Kalaycioglu, Meltem Muftuler-Bac and Ali Carkoglu. Each of them made important contributions to my intellectual development and academic career.
What would you say to a student who is considering studying Political Science and International Relations, but still unsure?
For students who would like to pursue an academic career and are considering a PhD, I would definitely recommend Sabanci University. The Political Science program at Sabanci is truly of international standards. Having had the opportunity to work at globally renowned universities, I can say with great confidence that the education provided at Sabanci - both at undergraduate and graduate level- is of top-tier quality. As someone who is actively involved in teaching, research and administration at these institutions, I can assure you that Sabanci stands out. The dedicated supervision provided by the professors, the high quality of the lectures, and the strong emphasis on methodological rigor are among the program’s greatest strengths.