Established at Near East University in 2013, the Near East Institute (NEI) serves as an interdisciplinary research and policy institute focusing on Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, Eurasia and wider regional and global affairs. The Institute brings together academic expertise and research capacity across disciplines to promote high-quality research, international collaboration and policy-relevant knowledge production. Mission The mission of the Near East Institute is to advance interdisciplinary research on Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, Eurasia and wider regional and global affairs. The Institute brings together researchers, research centres and diverse methodological perspectives to generate rigorous, policy-relevant knowledge and to strengthen the research capacity of Near East University. Through academic research, international collaboration, policy analysis, field studies, publications and scholarly engagement, the Institute seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of complex regional and global challenges and to strengthen the connection between academic knowledge and policy-making. Vision The Near East Institute aspires to become a leading interdisciplinary research and policy institute in the region, recognised for academic excellence, innovative research, international engagement and meaningful contributions to regional and global debates. The Institute seeks to foster a dynamic, inclusive and collaborative academic ecosystem in which researchers from different disciplines and research centres work collectively around shared research themes and strategic priorities. By promoting high-quality research and strengthening its international academic networks and policy engagement, the Institute aims to enhance the visibility, influence and societal impact of research produced at Near East University. Academic Governance and Research Structure The Near East Institute brings together a number of research centres under Research Clusters in order to systematically develop its research capacity and foster a collaborative and participatory academic ecosystem. The Cluster model is designed to strengthen coordination and interdisciplinary cooperation while allowing individual research centres to retain their existing administrative structures and institutional identities. The structure is shaped through the collective input of the Institute’s Board of Directors, formed by Cluster Coordinators and academic staff. Each Cluster brings together research centres working in related thematic areas, creating opportunities for the sharing of knowledge, methodologies, expertise and field experience, as well as for the development of joint research projects and initiatives. This flexible governance model is intended to facilitate collaboration without creating unnecessary administrative layers, while providing a framework for developing shared research agendas and strategic priorities. Through this structure, the Near East Institute aims to move beyond the coordination of existing research activities towards a more integrated model of knowledge production. The Cluster system provides a platform for interdisciplinary research, joint publications, policy reports, field analyses, research projects and international collaborations, thereby strengthening the Institute’s overall research capacity and academic impact. Research Clusters Centre: Cyprus History Research Centre (YDÜ-KTAM) Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul ([email protected]) Centres: Centre for Strategy and Energy Policies Research (SEPAM), Eurasian Research Centre (AVRAM) Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sait Akşit ([email protected]) Centre: Cyprus Research Centre (YDÜ-KAM) Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Şevket Öznur ([email protected]) Centres: Rumi Research Centre, Atatürk Principles and Revolutions Research Centre Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ghadir Golkarian ([email protected])
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