School of Social and Political Science

Background

Abdullah's research examines how great powers’ concerns with status influence foreign policy-making. Drawing on social identity theory, his thesis analyses Russia’s involvement in Western-led peacebuilding efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. Prior to undertaking postgraduate study, he worked as a researcher at the TRT World Research Centre between 2017 and 2020. He completed an MSc in Security Studies at University College London in 2017–2018. 
His academic interests focus on great power competition, status-seeking in international politics, Russia, the Balkans, and Turkish foreign policy.

Supervisors

Professor Luke March

Dr Katarzyna (Kasia) Kaczmarska

Qualifications

MSc Security Studies
University College London, United Kingdom (2018)

BA Political Science and Public Administration
Marmara University, Turkey (2016)

Teaching and Work Experience

Tutor, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh (2021-...)
- Comparative Politics in a Globalized World (PLIT08008)
- Politics in a Changing World: An Introduction for non-specialists (PLIT08012)
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates (PLIT08017)
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension (PLIT08018)

Researcher, TRT World Research Centre, İstanbul & London (2017-2020)

Select Publications

Book

Globalisation in Retreat: Risks and Opportunities. TRT World Forum Annual Report. TRT World, 2019. (Ed)

Report

'Regional Implications of Great Power Competition: The Case of Western Balkans'. TRT World Research Centre, July 2020.

'25 Years after Srebrenica: The Bosnian War and the Role of the International Community'. TRT World Research Centre, June 2020.

'Political and Economic Impact of Covid-19 in the Western Balkans'. TRT World Research Centre, May 2020.

'European Union Challenged: Russia and China in the Western Balkans'. TRT World Research Centre, April 2020.

'The Future of Serbia-Kosovo Relations: Prospects for Normalisation'. TRT World Research Centre, November 2019.

Opinion

'Trying to Weather the Storm: Covid-19 and Western Balkans'. Anadolu Agency, 29 April 2020.

'COVID-19 Proves Europe Needs Turkey's Assistance in the Balkans'. Daily Sabah, 15 April 2020.

'How Montenegro's Religious Property Law is a Regional Power Struggle'. TRT World, 16 January 2020.

'Turkey's Defensive Offensive: Operation Olive Branch'. Middle East Monitor, 24 January 2018.

Conferences and Workshops

BISA 2023 Conference, 21-23 June 2023, Glasgow.

BASEES Conference 2023, 31 March-2 April 2023, Glasgow.

UACES Annual Conference 2022, 5-8 September 2022, Lille.

Foreign Policy Analysis Conference 2022, 1 July 2022, Edinburgh.

BISA 2022 Conference, 15-17 June 2022, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.