No need to be alarmed! I just got overwhelmed with the stuff I am working on. While working on several papers and projects, I have to finish up grading- and some undergraduate students are acting ruder than normal- some graduate students are disappointing- but only a few, but it still hurts me- and in the … Read more
I started watching Gassal, and it was better than I expected. In some ways, it can be classified as more artsy than mainstream. However, because the public TV channel produced it, it was immediately trapped between opposing political circles. Apart from the content, this one seems to follow another public TV product, Leyla ile Mecnun—conservatives … Read more
Istanbul has been named the world’s most congested city for 2024, according to the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard[1][2][3]. The report found that drivers in Istanbul lost an average of 105 hours to traffic congestion in 2024, placing it at the top of the global rankings[2][3]. Global Rankings Istanbul’s position as the most congested city … Read more
This is Munich’s unique surfing spot right in the heart of the city. The Eisbach Wave in the English Garden is a popular location for river surfing, making Munich one of the few cities in the world where you can catch waves in an urban setting. This man-made wave on the Eisbach River attracts surfers … Read more
Istanbul Airport (IST) prices are higher than many other major European airports, particularly for food and beverages. Recent studies and reports highlight the significant cost differences: Food and Beverage Costs According to a 2025 study by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Istanbul Airport tops the list as the most expensive airport in Europe for food … Read more
We have arrived and settled. The city is still feeling Christmas, but life will be back to normal by January 7. Sinem and I will walk around and familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood. The Center of Advanced Studies building is within walking distance. Until we return on January 31, I hope to have a peaceful … Read more
I am feeling strong doses of nostalgia after taking my personal belongings from my parents’ storage place. Like many families in İstanbul, my parents finally decided to move away from their apartments because of the expected major earthquake. Istanbul is in a frenzy of urban renewal, and the building they lived in for 45 years … Read more
This begins a series of edited volumes with my doctoral students and a wider community of scholars I work with. We are already working on a new title, but this is the first cherished one! I have uploaded the preface and extended content to Academia.edu. The official site here, I case you would like to … Read more
I was in İzmir today and will fly back to İstanbul in an hour. -in fact, I already flew- It was an opportunity to think about AI-powered smart city cases and data politics in general. In the end, I summarize my presentation. İzmir Planning Office (an entity officially affiliated with İzmir municipality) organized the event. … Read more
We have just returned from our Kars trip. Besides meeting very nice, hospitable people and visiting historical sites, I realize that Kars may rival Gaziantep. Many friends fly to Gaziantep for a weekend food fest, but why not spend some time in Kars? My top four were: Sarı Balık The Yellow Carp, also known as … Read more
Understanding the Information Environment: Insights from the Majority World Researchers around the world address shortcomings and provide recommendations on Global North approaches to research and policymaking. by Samantha Lai Published on December 12, 2024 Global North actors often research and shape the information ecosystems of the Majority World1—for example, by studying influence operations that target Majority … Read more
We, Sinem and I, have decided to celebrate the second anniversary of our marriage in Kars. Kars sounds magical, especially in winter. I have had my eyes on Kars since reading Orhan Pamuk’s Snow, which takes place in Kars. So far, Kars did not disappoint us at all, even though there is no snow! We … Read more
On Monday, Sinem and I attended the opening panel and workshop TÜRKİYE INTERNATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FILM FESTIVAL that continues at İstanbul Gelişim University. As a duo, we discussed AI’s transformative role in media and then started a workshop on basic AI tools. I was honored to be part of this event, and special thanks go … Read more
While the house of Asad collapsed, I may have had the busiest week. This semester, I have two undergraduate courses and, some weeks, a doctoral seminar on Mondays. After a busy day and an online interview on AI and society, I was ready for the Tuesday event. German, Dutch, and Swedish consulates celebrate Human Rights … Read more
Visiting fellows lists at CAS can be found here. I will visit Munich as a fellow in January 2025, and Sinem will accompany me. Our Research group led by Prof. Udupa: Below the Radar? Messaging Apps, Encryption and the Enticement of Extreme Speech Online extreme speech and disinformation have emerged as a major problem for … Read more