Scholars in Context: Begüm Burak
Jadaliyya's Scholars in Context series consists of Q&As in which scholars of the Middle East describe their research and the paths they took to arrive at it. The series provides a platform for these scholars to highlight the significance of their work, identify the audiences they seek to reach, and outline their future research trajectories, giving readers an in-depth look at the latest research in a given field.
Jadaliyya (J): What is the main focus of your current research and how does it connect to or depart from your previous work?
Begüm Burak (BB): The main focus of my current research revolves around the intersection of authoritarianism, human rights, and freedom of expression, particularly in Turkey. Specifically, I am investigating how legal frameworks, such as Turkey’s infamous Article 299—which criminalizes insulting the president—are used to silence dissent. This research connects to my broader body of work on human rights, democracy, and political repression, but it represents a departure in that it now digs deeper into legal mechanisms used to curtail fundamental rights.
In my previous work, I focused more broadly on Turkey’s democracy, the interplay between religion and state, and civil-military relations. My two articles, one in Turkish and the other in English, which offer a critical analysis of the history of military interventions in Turkey, have been cited over one hundred and fifty times on Google Scholar.
J: What particular topics, issues, and literatures does it address?
BB: My current research addresses several key topics: authoritarianism, legal repression, human rights, freedom of speech, and dissent in Turkey. It delves into how governments use ostensibly legal tools to suppress opposition, criminalize political critique, and control public discourse. Beyond Article 299, my research engages with a variety of similar legal strategies, such as anti-terrorism laws, that regimes often employ to justify crackdowns on dissent.
The literature my work engages with includes studies on authoritarianism, legal repression, and human rights violations. I draw from classic works such as Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political and Giorgio Agamben’s State of Exception. Additionally, I explore contemporary scholarship on legal frameworks used to suppress dissent.
J: What brought you to this work? What was the source of inspiration?
BB: My personal and academic journey through the study of democracy, authoritarianism, and civil liberties in Turkey provided the inspiration for this work. Witnessing the erosion of democratic norms in Turkey, particularly following the 2016 coup attempt and the subsequent authoritarian turn, has had a profound impact on me as a researcher.
The rise of crackdowns on dissenting voices including academics and observing how legal instruments have been weaponized against individuals critical of the government fueled my desire to study these phenomena in a systematic way. I also want to uncover patterns and methods of authoritarian governance that resonate beyond Turkey’s borders.
J: What audiences would you like to reach, and what kind of impact would you like your research and writing to have?
BB: The audiences I hope to reach with my research include scholars in political science, law, sociology, human rights, and Middle Eastern studies, as well as policymakers and civil society organizations concerned with the defense of human rights and democracy. I also aim to reach a broader public audience, especially those interested in the ongoing struggles for democracy and freedom of expression in authoritarian regimes.
By publishing in both academic journals and more accessible platforms like opinion outlets and blogs, I hope to contribute not only to academic debates but also to public discussions about the challenges to democracy in Turkey and beyond.
I would like my work to have an impact both in academic circles and in real-world applications. I hope that by shedding light on the legal mechanisms used to silence dissent, my research will contribute to the growing body of work advocating for stronger protections for freedom of expression and political dissent in both national and international contexts.
J: What other projects are you working on now?
BB: In addition to my research on freedom of expression and legal repression in authoritarian regimes, I am also working on several other projects. One of these is an argumentative essay based on my upcoming MESA Global Academy-led virtual presentation on “Internet censorship in Turkey.” This work explores how the government monitors, restricts, and censors digital spaces to maintain control over the public narrative. This work ties into my broader interest in how technology and digital platforms intersect with authoritarianism and human rights. I have also finalized a book chapter on AI and higher education, which examines the potential and risks of AI’s integration into academic settings in Turkish higher education sector. In sum, my work is deeply tied to my passion for human rights, technology, and democracy.
J: What do you find most challenging about being a political scientist in Turkey?
BB: I think the most challenging part of being a political scientist in Turkey is navigating an increasingly repressive environment where academic freedom and free expression are under constant threat. The government’s crackdown on dissent, particularly after the 2016 coup attempt, has created an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship, making it difficult to critically engage with sensitive political topics. Scholars like me who research authoritarianism face the risk of legal repercussions and unemployment.
Additionally, the decrease in academic freedoms in Turkey has made conducting unbiased research a real challenge. Publishing freely is not easy in such an environment. I find this environment very stressful for my academic endeavors. However, I also find it fueling my desire to study these phenomena in a systematic way and I do my best to meaningfully contribute to the political science field.