RENPET Network Residency at Sabancı University
Massimo D’Angelo is a PhD student at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Governance at Loughborough University London, and a Lecturer in Social Sciences at the Universities of Greenwich and East London
I was awarded a RENPET Fellowship grant in September 2022, allowing me to spend two months at Sabancı University, Istanbul, as part of my PhD programme at Loughborough University London. My research, which explores the consequences of Turkey’s negotiations with the European Union on the Turkish political regime, greatly benefitted from my time in Turkey.
From November to December 2022, my tenure at Sabancı University aligned with my work on the theoretical framework of my dissertation. This period was crucial for collecting materials and engaging with local scholars, offering me unique insights unattainable from the UK. Living in the country that is the subject of my research allowed me to immerse myself in a vibrant academic environment. Discussions with my mentor, Prof. Senem Aydın-Düzgit, and other distinguished academics, such as Prof. Meltem Müftüler-Baç, were particularly enlightening. The opportunity also allowed me to foster my network, especially with other PhDs with whom I am still collaborating.
During my stay, I attended several high-profile events, both on campus and at Sabanci’s Istanbul Policy Centre, including a memorable book presentation by Prof. Ayşe Zarakol in December 2022 titled “Before the West: The Rise and Fall of Eastern World Orders”. These events opened up new perspectives, from different angles, allowing me to reflect on new trends that undoubtedly enriched my studies.
The university not only supported me operationally but also stimulated me intellectually, culminating in a seminar in December 2022 where I presented my findings to both students and faculty. This was the first time I presented my work to a broader Turkish audience, and the feedback I received there was instrumental in further developing my research after my return to London.
I am immensely grateful to both Sabancı University and the RENPET network for this exceptional opportunity. This experience has undeniably enriched my research and broadened its scope. Additionally, my participation in RENPET’s annual conference in Barcelona in June 2023 allowed me once again to further disseminate and refine my research through valuable discussions with the RENPET network scholars, from all the partners of the project.
Obtaining these generous fellowships is not easy for PhD students, and that is why I am deeply thankful to RENPET for such a good time. I strongly encourage other PhD colleagues to seek similar opportunities to enhance their research and academic development.