Social Sciences in Türkiye: Research Ecosystem, Trends, and Policy Recommendations

This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the institutional and intellectual foundations on which social science knowledge production in Türkiye is built. Moving beyond a narrow focus on publication numbers, it examines the actors, rules, funding models, thematic orientations, and on-the-ground experiences that shape the research ecosystem. Drawing on bibliometric and statistical analyses based on national and international databases, the study illuminates Türkiye’s trajectory over time and its position within the global landscape of the social sciences. Prominent research topics across different disciplines are mapped using techniques such as text mining and topic clustering; meanwhile, the qualitative findings of academics and researchers shed light on the institutional and human dimensions underlying the numerical indicators.

The book does not merely classify the scientific, financial, and bureaucratic challenges faced in the social sciences; it also develops concrete policy recommendations to enhance research quality, support young researchers, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and more effectively integrate social science knowledge into policy-making processes. In this regard, the work is not merely a snapshot of the current state of the social sciences ecosystem in Türkiye, it is also a reference source that aims to provide a strategic roadmap for the future. It offers a comprehensive and analytical framework for academics, graduate students, research institutions, policymakers, and all stakeholders interested in the social sciences.