Summary
Research and Teaching Interests: My scholarship focuses on U.S.-Ottoman relations, Ottoman social history, and the development of participatory politics among both provincial elites and non-elites in the Ottoman Empire. I also explore the literary works of Turkish minstrels (ashiks) and the poetry of Fuzuli. My teaching integrates global perspectives into regional and transnational history, emphasizing experiential learning, study abroad, and fostering communities of practice across various educational levels. I aim to assist my students in enhancing their class projects by utilizing a diverse range of primary and secondary sources, including library materials, archival texts, non-textual sources, folklore, and oral histories.
Key Research Areas:
- U.S.-Ottoman relations
- Ottoman social and political history
- Participatory politics in the Ottoman Empire
- Literary studies of Turkish minstrels and Fuzuli
- Middle Eastern and Mediterranean history
- Educational methodologies, including experiential learning
Books:
- Ottoman Notables and Participatory Politics: Tanzimat Reform in Tokat, 1839-1876 (Routledge, 2014), explores the intersection of Ottoman reform and local politics in the provincial town of Tokat during the Tanzimat period.
Selected Articles:
- "The Privileged and the Unprotected: U.S. Consuls, Return Migrants, and Extraterritorial Debates in the Ottoman Empire, 1830-1914," Journal of World History (2022).
- “The Stories of Inventions: An Interdisciplinary Project-Based Unit for U.S. History Students,” The Science Teacher (2017).
Chapters in Edited Volumes:
- “Women, Family Law, and Social Change at Tokat’s Şer’î Court: 1876-1909,” in Tokat Tarihi ve Kültürü Sempozuyumu (2015).
- “Leyla and Majnun by Fuzuli,” in World Literature and Its Times: Middle Eastern Literature and Their Times (2004).
Current Projects:
- Research on U.S. consular protections and extraterritoriality in the Ottoman Empire
- Translating Turkish romance tales
- Exploring the political dimensions of Turkish folk literature
Professional Engagement: I have presented my research at conferences in the U.S., Spain, and Turkey that promote understanding of the Ottoman Empire, Middle Eastern politics, and comparative history. As a faculty member at NJCU, I work to promote cross-cultural learning and global historical perspectives.
Teaching Experience: I have taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of Ottoman, Middle Eastern, and global history, including courses such as The Ottoman Empire, The Twentieth-Century Middle East, and The Silk Road. I also design courses that integrate experiential learning opportunities and foster a deeper understanding of historical methods.
Awards & Honors:
- Special Recognition Award, Innovation High School (2017)
- Excellence in Teaching Award, NJCU Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (2016)
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Nominee, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2004)
Language Skills:
- Ottoman Turkish (reading)
- Modern Turkish (reading, speaking)
- Mo
Education
- Ph.D. in History, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2010
- M.A. in History, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2003
- B.A. in History (with Archaeology Minor), University of Evansville, 1996