ALPER YURTTAŞ
Alper completed his PhD in 2019 at Istanbul University’s Institute of Social Sciences, Department of European Union. He is working as the office manager at ITU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He has successfully completed three Erasmus Plus projects with an additional two ongoing. He is also coordinating the Jean Monnet Module entitled “EU Integration and Turkey”. He is currently conducting postdoctoral research on science diplomacy at the Chair of Science, Technology, and Gender Studies at FAU.”
Q- Could you please provide us with more insight into your background and your role within ITU?
A- Since 2012, I have been working at ITU. For the last ten years, I have held the position of Office Manager at the ITU Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Our Centre focuses on providing guidance and educational programs for early-stage entrepreneurs, while simultaneously conducting research projects to expand the boundaries of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. My academic background encompasses social sciences, with a particular focus on communication and political sciences. I think this background is especially useful for facilitating the dissemination of scientific content generated in research projects to a broader audience. In essence, it enables me to make academic knowledge more accessible to different segments of society beyond the academic community.
Q– Your research centers on Science Diplomacy. Could you explain what this entails and why it is significant within an alliance like EELISA? (please feel free to rephrase that question)
A- Science diplomacy can basically be described as the intersection of foreign policy and science, research and innovation policies. My current research focuses on how science diplomacy can address global challenges and international conflicts. Many of the issues faced in the contemporary world are of such magnitude and complexity that they cannot be resolved independently by a single nation. Therefore, international cooperation in numerous domains, particularly in the scientific field, is increasingly essential.
EELISA stands out as one of the successful examples of such scientific co-operation. Therefore, it is very exciting for me both to observe the activities within EELISA as a researcher and to take part in this process as a practitioner.
Q– As the Office Manager at ITU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, you have already interacted with the innovation centers of other EELISA partners. What potential impact do you see this collaboration having on our Innovation and Entrepreneurship ecosystems in the future?
A- Most of the EELISA partners have a highly developed and strong entrepreneurial infrastructure. Naturally, variations exist due to differing national cultures and institutional priorities. I believe that this is a great chance to develop a common ecosystem. Currently, we are striving to construct a comprehensive and inclusive system by examining various priorities and entrepreneurial approaches. When this is achieved, I think there will be significant opportunities for all internal and external stakeholders of universities. In such collaborative efforts, the outcome often exceeds the sum of its parts, with 1+1 typically yielding more than 2.
Q – Lastly, could you share what you find to be the most compelling aspect of EELISA for researchers/ OR innovators?
A- In my perspective, EELISA is like a toolbox with many different tools. The utilization of EELISA in research and innovation may vary depending on multiple factors, including the nature of the research, its focus, and, in the case of an innovative business concept, the specific problem it addresses. However, EELISA’s ability to promote cross-border and multidisciplinary cooperation, particularly for researchers, and its capacity to allow innovators to evaluate novel business ideas across different nations and societies, makes it a valuable resource for these individuals.