Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, a faculty member from the Üsküdar University Institute of Sufi Studies, continues her academic work at Harvard University, one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Üsküdar University's international representation is of great importance
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya stated that engaging in academic activities at Harvard University is of great importance for Üsküdar University's representation in the international academic arena. She said, “I would like to say that I met many researchers who collaborated scientifically with our university at scholarly meetings I attended in America. I had the opportunity to meet various researchers who participated in congresses and symposiums organized by Üsküdar University, published articles in our academic journals, or had scientific contacts with our university's academic staff. Especially at the AAR (Religious Studies) conference held in Denver in 2022, I received great interest because I was a researcher from Üsküdar University's Institute of Sufi Studies. These experiences enabled me to concretely see our university's strong position and sphere of influence within academic networks in Turkey and abroad. I witnessed that international studies organized within our university, renowned names, and a network of relationships played an important role in the widespread impact, as did our academic publications.”
Academic relationship with Harvard has been ongoing for over a decade
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, stating that the academic relationship with Harvard University has been ongoing for over a decade, continued:
“The desire to examine Sufi studies from a historical perspective led me to take master's courses in Humanities and Religious Studies starting in 2013, in addition to my ongoing work at Istanbul University. During this period, I also participated in Sufi text reading courses at the doctoral level, engaging in scholarly studies that focused on the relationship between historical context and text. Meeting Dr. Cemal Kafadar, director of the Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) and professor in the history department, was a significant turning point in this process. Under Dr. Kafadar's guidance, I had the opportunity to write a part of my doctoral thesis in the Harvard library and presented my thesis at the relevant center during this period. Thus, the support I received from my Institute and our University to continue some of my doctoral studies, which I started in Turkey, in America was instrumental in my ability to project my research into the postdoctoral phase. When this support combines with all other fields, you become part of the scientific communities at the world's leading universities on behalf of your University, which on one hand ensures mutual benefit, and on the other hand offers opportunities for sharing and competition under more equitable conditions.”
“I was accepted as a visiting researcher at the Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya, recalling that she was accepted as a visiting researcher at the Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies for her postdoctoral research in 2022, said, “For the past two years, within the scope of the project I am conducting here, I have been continuing my work to produce academic publications and present at scientific conferences. Harvard's rich resources and intellectual atmosphere have enabled me to conduct in-depth research on the place and importance of Sufi thought in shaping historical processes.”
“This project examines the role of Sufi thought in late Ottoman Empire and early Republican Turkey”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya provided information about her work, stating:
“For the past two years, I have been working on my postdoctoral research project at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). This project examines the role of Sufi thought in the late Ottoman Empire and early Republican Turkey. Particularly, the bridge of continuity that Sufi thinkers established between tradition and contemporary thought during the modernization process is of importance at this point. To shed light on these questions, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Cemal Kafadar, I am deeply analyzing the works and practices of important Sufi figures from the late Ottoman period, such as Ken'ân Rifâî (d. 1950), Ahmet Avni Konuk (d. 1936), and Tâhirülmevlevî (d. 1951), who were Sufi bureaucrats. This research, focusing on the continuing socio-cultural influences of the cultural synthesis created by Sufi authors during the transition period, also aims to bring a new perspective to the historiography of the relevant era.”
“A qualified audience following Üsküdar University’s scientific work in this field”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya pointed out that the most significant advantage of being a visiting researcher at Harvard University is access to extensive library resources and the ability to interact with international academic circles, and she stated:
“Indeed, researchers can easily access resources in their field while also having the opportunity to meet many international researchers with different scientific perspectives and collaborate scientifically, which enriches the scope and content of the scientific work. In my opinion, one of the most important aspects of conducting research abroad is the opportunity to introduce and represent the scholarly tradition you belong to in the best possible way within this academic environment. During this process, I gave various academic presentations to understand and promote the Seljuk and Ottoman scholarly/gnostic heritage. Furthermore, meeting a qualified audience following Üsküdar University’s scientific work in this field at the scholarly meetings I attended as a participant has been a great source of happiness and pride for me.”
“They contacted me from the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA)”
Emphasizing that congresses are of great importance for expanding international researchers and academic networks, Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya stated:
“Especially at Üsküdar University, the International Positive Psychology Congress, initiated under the leadership of our Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and held annually, is very valuable in this sense. Indeed, after I presented a paper titled 'Resilience/Resistance from a Sufi Perspective' at the 2017 congress, they contacted me from the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). It had attracted their attention. They followed up later and showed interest in my article titled 'Ways to Overcome Sadness and Achieve Happiness According to Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi,' published in our university's Psikohayat journal. IPPA's 'Spirituality' unit contacted me. Following these contacts, I had the opportunity to address an international audience as part of the association's scientific lecture series, and this talk received considerable interest. In my opinion, the foundation of this interest lies not only in the universal appeal of Rumi's spirituality-based understanding of happiness but also in the scientific accumulation, academic and semi-academic publications, and branded names achieved through Üsküdar University's consistent and comprehensive work in Positive Psychology, and the interaction networks woven by these efforts.”
Global interest in spiritual values is increasing day by day
Stating that global interest in spiritual values is increasing day by day, Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya said:
“At this point, Positive Psychology stands out as a discipline that emphasizes the importance of spiritual values with the aim of increasing individual happiness. In this context, our university's work in Positive Psychology enriches the literature on the relationship between values and well-being with approaches derived from Anatolian wisdom. The works of our esteemed Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, titled Mesnevi Therapy and Yunus Therapy, serve as important guides on how the relevant literature can be reflected in positive psychology-based therapies. On the other hand, many master's and doctoral studies conducted at Üsküdar University's Institute of Sufi Studies focus on tracing spiritual and ethical values in Sufi literature in general, and in the Ottoman cultural heritage in particular, and on the scientific principles they will offer to changing life and humanity. These studies also scientifically demonstrate the relationship between spiritual values and happiness with art, literature, and culture. Especially in this period of increasing spiritual quests in the West, I believe that the interdisciplinary studies offered by our university are of great importance for the scientific evaluation and dissemination of spiritual heritage.”
“There is a relative lack of interest in the rich spiritual and intellectual accumulation from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya stated that while the West tends to turn to Far Eastern philosophies in its search for spirituality and wisdom, it shows a relative lack of interest in the rich spiritual and intellectual accumulation presented in Islamic geography, especially during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. She said, “This situation may also mean that the Islamic intellectual tradition and Sufi heritage are not sufficiently examined scientifically and presented to international academic circles. There are not enough English-language publications that reveal these relationships. It is certain that this heritage needs to be promoted more through scientific publications and academic work. These studies offer a nature that will enrich many scientific questions and gaps in the international literature with new approaches. It should be recognized that our university's current initiatives and approaches offer new and in-depth perspectives that will push the boundaries of 'human-centric' discourses to date. Our university has very important work to present to the scientific world in this field.”
“A period has been entered where the definition of 'human' will be redefined”
Dr. Arzu Eylül Yalçınkaya also stated that it is necessary to act with the knowledge that technology is not just a tool but directly affects how humans think and implement, concluding her words as follows:
“In this phase where 'artificial intelligence' is becoming widespread in all areas, we must make a special effort for humans to remain 'human.' In no period of history has humanity been left under such a threat. A period has been entered where the definition of 'human' will be redefined. Even the terminology on this subject is changing. Humanity is progressing towards an era where it will, in my opinion, most need spirituality, ethics, and religion. For this reason, it is very valuable for all fields of science to be able to produce together. Social and human sciences must absolutely work interdisciplinarily. Ultimately, I would like to say that the supposed boundaries between disciplines must also be transcended.”
