“The difficulties of the global COVID pandemic have shown us just how important the Global Centers are for our continuing communication as members of the Columbia community. While quarantine and travel restrictions have forced us to postpone much of our work in the region, at the same time we have found the importance of the Global Centers growing as venues for the exchange of ideas among faculty and students both in New York, and at all the regional centers.”
Zainab Bahrani, Istanbul Center FAC Chair
The Faculty Advisory Committee comprises distinguished Columbia University faculty who provide academic leadership and guidance for the Center’s activities. Their insights help reflect Columbia’s educational strengths and promote academic exchange in what we do.
The Committee plays a vital role in connecting the Center with faculty interests, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and developing innovative programs that engage with important regional challenges. They represent a wide spectrum of faculty interests and disciplinary areas, selected for their expertise in Türkiye as well as their dedication to advancing global scholarship.

Istanbul FSC
Zainab Bahrani (Chair)
Edith Porada Professor and Chair of the Department of Art History and Archaeology, Columbia University Chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee, Istanbul Global Center

Istanbul FSC
Zeynep Celik
Sakip Sabanci Visiting Professor

Istanbul FSC
Hamid Dabashi
Hagoo Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature

Istanbul FSC
Ebru A. Gencer
Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation

Istanbul FSC
Carol Gluck
George Sansom Professor of History Emerita

Istanbul FSC
Ayten Gündoğdu
Associate Professor of Political Science (Barnard College-Columbia University)

Istanbul FSC
Valentina Izmirlieva
Director, Harriman Institute and Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Columbia University

Istanbul FSC
Caghan Kizil
Associate Professor of Neurological Sciences

Istanbul FSC
Holger A. Klein
Lisa and Bernard Selz Professor of Medieval Art History and Archaeology

Istanbul FSC
Vishakha N. Desai
Past Chair and Member, Committee on Global Thought, Senior Advisor to EVP for Columbia Global, President Emerita Asia Society

Istanbul FSC
A. Tunc Sen
Assistant Professor of History, Department of History