Halil Yenigun
Dr. Halil Yenigun is a political theorist with a deep passion for Islamic studies. He had the opportunity to serve as a visiting post-doctoral scholar at the Abbasi Program from 2017 to 2019. He earned his Ph.D. in 2013 from the University of Virginia's political theory program, with his dissertation titled, "The Political Ontology of Islamic Democracy: An Ontological Narrative of Contemporary Muslim Political Thought."
Halil’s academic journey has taken him across borders with his passion for understanding the complexities of Muslim political thought. While working on his dissertation, he sought to broaden his knowledge and experience of the Arab world as a visiting scholar in the Middle Eastern Studies Center at the American University in Cairo (AUC) during the 2007-2008 academic year. Continuing his academic pursuits, Halil joined Istanbul Commerce University, where he served as a research assistant and later as an assistant professor of political science from 2011 to 2016. He also contributed as a research fellow at Sabancı University's Istanbul Policy Center for the Project on the Middle East and Arab Spring (POMEAS). Additionally, he was selected as a fellow of Europe in the Middle East—the Middle East in Europe (EUME) at the Transregional Studies Forum in Berlin, where he devoted his time to deepening his research during the 2016-17 period.
Throughout his career, Dr. Yenigun has shared his understanding of the subjects he holds dear with students in various educational settings. He taught courses on political science, Middle East history and sociology, and Muslim political thought at various institutions such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and San Jose State University from 2017 to 2022. His writings have found their place in a range of edited volumes and journals, including the Third World Quarterly and Turkish Studies, as well as digital platforms like opendemocracy.net and Jadaliyya. Furthermore, he has often been invited to provide insights on topics like Muslim political thought, Islamism, peace activism, and Turkish democracy in various media outlets.
Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Yenigun actively participated in the civil society landscape of his native Turkey, aligning himself with several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating for human rights, social justice, and free circulation of ideas, either as a founder or board member. A noteworthy part of his advocacy work includes his association with Academics for Peace, a group of Turkish academics rallying for peace and human rights.
Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Dr. Yenigun's cultural heritage deeply influences his academic and personal pursuits. In his leisure time, he finds solace in immersing himself in captivating novels and enjoys exploring bustling big cities on his bike. Above all, he treasures precious moments spent with his children.
With his multifaceted background as a political theorist, diverse interests, and dedication to social issues, Halil is committed to contributing to the Abbasi Program’s mission of fostering a comprehensive understanding of Islam and Muslims in all aspects.
