Four BAU Academics Join the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

The European Academy of Sciences and Arts, one of the world's most prestigious academic networks, elected Prof. Dr. Serdar Durdağı, Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata and faculty member Dr. Erman Türkili from Bahçeşehir University (BAU) as new members at its general assembly this year. Together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Derya Gürses Tarbuck, who was elected a member last year, the number of BAU academics in the academy has risen to four.

At this year's general assembly of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA), the names of the new academics to become members were determined. In evaluations conducted according to the criteria of EASA, which has nearly 2,000 academics, 38 of them Nobel laureates, supporting work in fields such as Humanities, Medicine, Arts, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics and Environmental Sciences, the work and careers of three academics nominated by members were reviewed. In the evaluation, which focused on academics conducting interdisciplinary and international work and also took human-centered research criteria into account, Prof. Dr. Serdar Durdağı, Dean of the BAU Faculty of Pharmacy; sociologist Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata, faculty member at the Department of Sociology, BAU Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences; and Dr. Erman Türkili, faculty member at the BAU Conservatory, were elected as new members.

‘I WILL MAKE GREATER EFFORTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCIENTIFIC ECOSYSTEM’

Known for his work in AI-supported drug design and development, Prof. Serdar Durdağı stated that he was greatly honored to become a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, adding: “I see this membership not only as a personal achievement but also as recognition of the knowledge we have produced together, the collaborations we have built and the vision of social contribution we have put forward. I believe that an interdisciplinary approach is indispensable for both scientific innovation and social impact. In the coming period, I will continue to develop joint projects with researchers from different fields. With the responsibility of this membership, I will make greater efforts to contribute to a scientific ecosystem that pushes the boundaries of knowledge and prioritizes inclusivity and the common good.”

KNOWN FOR HER MIGRATION STUDIES

Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata, Director of the BAU Migration and Urban Studies Application and Research Center (BAUMUS), known for her work in migration and sociology, said: “It is gratifying that our work is valued

in the European context. The more science transcends borders, the more it serves humanity and beyond.” Sunata noted that EASA, which brings prestige to academics, will provide the opportunity to reach more academics and partners in international collaborations and projects.

THE FIRST NAME FROM OUR COUNTRY SELECTED IN THE FIELD OF MUSIC

Dr. Erman Türkili, faculty member at the BAU Conservatory, known for the education method he uses in early childhood and autism, became the first name from Türkiye to be elected to EASA in the field of music. Expressing his happiness at being elected to EASA, which has 47 members in the field of music, Türkili said: “It is a great honor for me that an academic from Türkiye has been selected in my field. It also makes me happy for my country that a name selected from Türkiye in the field of music will be there.”

‘IT ENHANCES ACADEMIC BRAND VALUE’

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Derya Gürses Tarbuck from the Bahçeşehir University Department of Sociology, whose EASA membership was accepted in 2024, said that the increase in the number of academics accepted from Türkiye is important. Tarbuck said: “I value having many academics from our country and our university elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Membership in the European Academy means that an institution's scientific capacity is recognized by Europe. It is very valuable to have four academics from BAU there. This also increases our university's international visibility. It strengthens our place on the European research map. It enhances the university's academic brand value.” Noting that members are not selected solely on the basis of scientific competence, Tarbuck stated that intellectual contributions with an impact at the European level are an important criterion in selecting members.

THE ACADEMY CARRIES OUT SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The European Academy of Sciences and Arts carries out scientific and cultural activities, particularly for the benefit of people living and working in Europe. Aiming to examine problems from different perspectives and find solutions thanks to the European scientists and artists among its members, the academy forms an independent pool of knowledge and unites around themes such as interdisciplinary dialogue, bringing together different ideas and views, and creating an international scientific discourse.