solidarity with Universities
in turkey

Solidarity with university boycotts and democratic protests in Turkey!

On March 18, 2025, the Board of the Istanbul University revoked the university diploma of Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with 28 others, under political pressure from the central government. This decision, which exceeds the university board’s legal and administrative authority, constitutes an unlawful attempt to eliminate İmamoğlu from the presidential elections as Erdoğan’s main opponent. Moreover, this unlawful intervention violates the right to higher education and severely undermines academic freedom in Turkey.

University students across Turkey initiated mass demonstrations against this injustice, which further fuelled public outrage following İmamoğlu’s detention on March 19. Millions have taken to the streets to defend their right to vote and be elected. Several universities in İstanbul and across the country have become strongholds of resistance through self-organized student-led mobilizations. In response to this wave of protests, Erdoğan’s regime has deployed excessive police violence, severe repression and mass detentions.

As of March 24, university students have launched a nationwide academic boycott. Students from ODTÜ, Hacettepe University, Ankara University, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul University, Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Galatasaray University, Dokuz Eylul University, Ege University, Bursa Uludağ University, and many others continue to mobilize in defense of academic freedom and university autonomy, exercising their constitutional democratic right to protest.

Become a Signatory
The boycotting university students, academics, and protesters demand:

1. The government must resign, and early elections must be held immediately.
2. Detained protesters and all political prisoners must be released.
3. The decisions of the Constitutional Court and the ECHR must be fully implemented.
4. Academicfreedom and university autonomy must be restored, and all forms of repression must end.

We fully support their demands and their basic democratic right to express them freely in universities and public spaces. Raise your voice for Turkey!

Stand in solidarity with students and the people of Turkey against the increasingly authoritarian regime.

For Further Information:

Democracy Now!
Associated Press
CNN World
Le Monde
Al Jazeera

News

Birgün

Türkiye'deki protestolar ve "akademik boykot"a 30 ülkenin akademisyenlerinden destek

Signatories

Surname Name, Affiliation, Title/Position
Abdallah Maha, University of Antwerp, Researcher
Acaroglu Onur, University of Northampton, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Achcar Gilbert, SOAS, University of London, Emeritus Professor
Achenbach Alina, University of Groningen, PhD researcher
Adam Fishwick, University of Akureyri, Visiting faculty
Ahlers Özlem Deniz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Research Assistant
Akdag Cihan Taylan, Technical University of Berlin, Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Akuoko Philipa, University of Bern, Doctoral Researcher
Albá Duran Juan, University of Groningen (NL), Teacher
Albo Greg, York University, Professor
Almeida Olivera Philippe Hanna, University of Groningen, Assistant Professor
Anastopoulos Anastos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, Emeritus Professor
Andersson Jan Otto, Åbo Akademi University, Professor emeritus
Andueza Luis, King's College London, Lecturer
Arikan Yilmaz Zeynep, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
Arslan Shirin, American university, Researcher
Ash Michael, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor
Ausburger Robin, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, PhD candidate
Ay Deniz, University of Bern, Dr., Senior Researcher
Aydogan Surmeli, Australia, Researcher
Badat Saleem, University of the Free State, Professor
Badgett Lee, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor Emerita
Badsha Nasima, University of the Western Cape, Retired professor
Bailey David, University of Birmingham, Associate Professor in Politics
Baity Jesi Marco, Eawag (ETH), Group Leader
Balamir Selçuk, University of Amsterdam, Postdoc
Balraj Dianne, University of Toronto, Analyst
Baltzis Alexandros, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor
Barker Kathy, University of Washington, Community Assistant Professor
Barkin David, Metropolitan University, Mexico City, Distinguished professor
Barras Amélie, York University, Professor
Bassett Pambana, University of Bern, Doctoral Researcher
Bassioukas Konstantinos, University of Ioannina Greece, Ass. Prof. of Medicine
Beneria Lourdes, Cornell University, Emeritus Professor
Bergeron Suzanne, University of Michigan Dearborn, Professor Emerita
Bhend Melanie, University of Nottingham, Assistant professor
Bieler Andreas, University of Nottingham, UK, Professor
Bisazza Arianna, University of Groningen, Associate Professor
Blankenship L. Scott, University of Nottingham, PhD, Senior researcher
Blincow Malcolm J., York University, Associate Professor Emeritus
Boroday Sofiya, Harvard University, Doctoral Researcher
Borragan Guillermo, University of Lausanne, Post-doc
Bosch Christine, University of Hohenheim, Germany, Dr./Research associate
Boyce James, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor emeritus
Bozkurt Sumercan, Simon Fraser University, Lecturer
Brand Ulrich, University of Vienna, Prof. Dr. / Chair of Int. Politics
Brkovic Carna, University of Mainz, Professor of Cultural Studies
Butler Owen, The University of Nottingham, Disability Adviser
Cafruny Alan, Hamilton College, Professor
Çakırlar Canan, University of Groningen, Dr.
Caliskan Ugur, Freie Universität Berlin, Teaching Fellow
Canel Eduardo, York University, Associate Professor
Cannilla Victor, University of Lausanne, PhD Candidate
Cantoni Roberto, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Researcher
Carikci Cagri, Université Paris I, Pantheon Sorbonne, Visiting researcher, PhD
Celebi Elifcan, University College Dublin, Assistant Professor
Celik Özlem, University of Turku, Senior Researcher
Chang Dae-oup, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea, Professor
Chantal Verdeil, Inalco, Paris, Professor
Chenoy Anuradha, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IPB, Emeritus Professor
Chopra Deepta, Institute of Development studies, Research fellow
Christensen García Claudia, Basque Centre for Climate Change, Technician
Christensen Emanuella Laue, Glasgow Caledonian University, PhD Candidate
Chyutin Dan, Tel Aviv University, PhD, Teaching Fellow
Cicek Ozgur, University of Amsterdam, Dr.
Cooper David, University of Cape Town, Emeritus professor, sociology
Cooper Linda, University of Cape Town, Emeritus Associate Professor
Cousins Ben, University of the Western Cape, Emeritus Professor
Covernton Garth, University of Toronto, Postdoctoral Fellow
Cufré Sara, Del Salvador University, Lecturer
Dagdilelis Vasileios, University of Macedonia, Ret. Professor
Das Raju J., York University, ProfessorDavid Wield, Open University UK, Professor
Davy-Guidicelli Jean-André, University of Lausanne, PhD Candidate
Dedes Yorgos, SOAS, Senior Lecturer in Turkish
Deere Carmen Diana, University of Florida, Distinguished Professor Emerita
Demet Yılmazkuday, Florida International University, Teaching Professor
Diamantopoulou Evangelia, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Associate Professor
Dildar Yasemin, California State University San Bernardino, Associate Professor
Dionyssiou Zoe, Ionian University, Greece, Professor
Dolek Caglar, Cal Poly Humboldt, Assistant Professor
Dominguez Pablo, CNRS, France, PhD, Senior researcher
Donat Gözde Nur, Inalco, Paris, PhD candidate
Donker Silvia, University of Groningen, Teacher
Downton Jo, University of Northampton, Senior University Lecturer
Doxiadis Kyrkos, University of Athens, Professor Emeritus
Dr. Van Lanen Sander, University of Groningen, Assistant professor
Dressler Markus, Leipzig University, Professor
Duman Anil, Central European University, Professor
Dunne John, University of Cape Town, Professor emeritus
Duran Matute Ines, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Researcher
Duzgun Eren, University of Cyprus, Assistant Professor
El Morr Christo, York University, Professor
Elci Omur Cinar, Western Atlantic University, Professor
Elson Diane, University of Essex, Emeritus Professor
Enayat Hadi, AKU-ISMC, Assistant Professor
Epstein Gerald, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor of Economics
Ercan Caner, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Postdoctoral Researcher
Erensoy Sirin Fulya, University of Groningen, Lecturer
Escárcega José, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Master Student
Evans Trevor, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Professor of Economics
Fasenfest David, York University, Editor
Favish Judy, Univesity of Cape Town, Director
Fawcus Sue, University Cape Town, Professor Emeritus
Féliz Mariano, CONICET-UNLP, Argentina, Researcher-Professor
Fine Ben, SOAS University of London, Emeritus Professor
Flores Mayvelin, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Professor
Floro Maria, American University, Professor Emerita
Folbre Nancy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor emerita
Freitag Ulrike, Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient, Director
Friedman Gerald, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Professor of Economics
Friedman Sam, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Research Professor
Frison Christine, University of Liège, Professor
Gabor Daniela, SOAS University of London, Professor
Galdini Franco Leverhulme, University of Birmingham, Early Career Fellow
García-Lamarca Melissa, Lund University, Assistant Professor
Garmendia Eneko, University of the Basque Country, Associate Professor
Gavalas Anthony, TU Dresden, Germany, Professor
Ghosh Jayati, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor
Giouras Thanasis, University of Crete, Prof. Political Science
Gogishvili David, University of Lausanne, Senior Researcher
González-Hidalgo Marien, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Researcher
Gopal Priyamvada, University of Cambridge, Professor
Gras Carla, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (ARGENTINA), Senior Researcher
Güler Helin Nur, University of Bremen, PhD Researcher
Gustafsson Jennie, Malmö University, Dr.Hanieh Adam, University of Exeter, Professor
Hasozbek Altug, CENIEH, Dr/researcherHead Judith, University of Cape Town, Dr, Senior Lecturer (retired)
Hegeman Mike, UMass Amherst, PhD StudentHimmelweit, Open University, UK, Emeritus Professor
Hormel Leontina, University of Idaho, Professor
Humphries Jane, Universities of Oxford and London School of Economics, Professor (Emeritus)
Ingram Susan, York University, Professor
Jamai Ait Hmitti Ismail, University of Oxford, MSc candidate
Jessop Bob, Lancaster University, emeritus professor
Jubeto Yolanda, University of the Basque Country, Lecturer in Economics
Junginger Horst, University of Leipzig, Prof. Dr.
Karnaukhova Oxana, Independent Researcher, Dr
Kars Aydogan, Monash University, Senior Lecturer
Kate Meagher, London School of Economics and Political Science, Professor
Keysser Lorenz, University of Lausanne, PhD Candidate
King Lawrence, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor
King Mary, Portland State University, Professor Emerita
Kipfer Stefan, York University, Professor
Koehler Gabriele, Independent, Development economist
Kokkali Ifigeneia, University of Thessaly, Assistant Prof.
Konstantinova Stella, UNWE, Bulgaria, lecturer
Köse Yavuz, University of Vienna, Professor
Kotz David, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Professor Emeritus
Kritsotakis Spiros, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, PhD Candidate
Krone Isaac, University of California, PhD Candidate
Kutlu Kutay, York University, PhD Student
La Falce Maria, SOAS university of London, Dr
Laamann Lars Peter, SOAS, University of London, Associate Professor
LaFleur Will, University of Helsinki, Ph.D./Postdoctoral Researcher
Laibman David, Science & Society, Editor Emeritus
Lampinen Antti, Turku University, Docent/Collegium Fellow
Lange Hilde, Oslo Metropolitan University, Assistant Professor
Laurin-Lamothe Audrey, York University, Associate Professor
Law Tuulia, York University, Associate Professor
Lemeire Veronika, Hasselt University, Postdoctoral researcher
Lentin Jérôme, INALCO, Paris, Prof. émérite
Li Kevin, Penn State University, Postdoctoral Fellow
Lokar Sonja, Women's Lobby of Slovenia, professor, sociologist
López Oyarzún Nicolás, University of Chile, Research Assistant
Macqueen Malcolm, Warwick University, Doctoral Researcher
Maharajh Rasigan, Tshwane University of Technology, Chief Director
Mahmood Amna, University of Oslo, Teaching fellow
Maley Terry, York University, Associate Professor
Manji Firoze, Daraja Press, Publisher
Manjra Shuaib, University of Cape Town, Dr.
Marcou Loïc, Ehess and Inalco, Dr.Associate researcher
Markussen Hege, Lund University, Senior Lecturer
Marois Thomas, McMaster University, Research Chair, Professor
Martinez Miguel A., Uppsala University, Professor
Masson John, Local Biodiversity Council, France, Director
Mattox Teddi, African School of Economics, Lecturer
Mayumi Tabata, Senshu University, Japan, Professor
McGinn Jack, London School of Economics, Communications Manager
Mcgrew Annie, University of Massachusetts Amherst, PhD Student
Mendes Loureiro, University of Cambridge, Associate Professor
Mezzadri Alessandra, SOAS, Reader in Global Development
Mignon Laurent, University of Oxford, Professor
Miraftab Faranak, University of Illinois, Professor
Mohall Marcus, Linköping University, Associate Professor
Mohanty Manoranjan, Council for Social Development, New Delhi, Professor
Möller Chris, The Open University, UK, Associate Lecturer
Monteiro Olin, Artsforwomen Indonesia, Coordinator
Morton Adam, University of Sydney, Professor
Muhidine Timour, Inalco, Paris, Assistant professor
Nag Suryadeepto, University of Lausanne, Doctoral Researcher
Nakatani Paulo, Federal University of Espírito Santo - Brazil, Professor emeritus
Nizaruddin Fathima, University of Potsdam, Post doctoral Researcher
O'Laughlin Bridget, International Institute of Social Studies, Associate professor
Oane Visser, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Associate professor
Oktem Kerem, Ca Foscari University of Venice, Assoc. Prof.
Okumuş Oğuzhan, University of St. Gallen, Doctoral Researcher
Olmsted Jennifer, Drew University, Madison, Professor of Economics
Olsson Lina, Malmö University, Associate Professor
Opondoh Angela, University of the Witwatersrand, Doctoral Researcher
Orinsky Anna, European University Institute, Researcher
Ozdemir Yonca, College of William & Mary, Visiting faculty
Ozer Ozge, University of Groningen, Researcher
Özkızan Celal, Northeastern University London, Assistant Professor
Pahla Zenzele, University of Cape Town, Researcher
Park Gyunghee, Westchester Community College, Adjunct lecturer
Patnaik Prabhat, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Professor Emeritus
Persram Nalini, York University, Associate Professor
Petersen Karen, IIPPE, Researcher
Pollin Robert, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Distinguished Professor
Pozo Gonzalo, Global Political Economy, Senior Lecturer
Preston Valerie, York University, Professor Emeritus
Proietti Luca, SOAS University of London, PhD Candidate
Radley Ben, University of Bath, Associate Professor
Ramazzotti Paolo, University of Macerata, Professor
Ramgotra Manjeet, SOAS University of London, Senior Lecturer
Reaume Geoffrey, York University, Associate Professor
Remund Adrien, University of Groningen, Assistant professor
Rentzsch Julian, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Prof. Dr.
Resnikoff Jason, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Assistant Professor
Rigoletto Sergio, University of Groningen, Assistant Professor
Rihoux Quentin, University of Lausanne, PhD student
Rinner Daniel, UMass, Amherst, Doctoral Researcher
Ruwanpura Kanchana, University of Gothenburg, Professor
Saad Filho Alfredo, Queen's University Belfast, Professor
Saad Quasem, SOAS, Lecturer
Sabet Sarvestany Raha, Turku Institute for Advanced Studies, Post doc researcher, lecturer
Sallabank Julia, SOAS, University of London, Professor
Salvarrey Georgina Cerda, California State Polytechnic University, Graduate student
Sarica Can, University of Toronto, PhD Candidate
Saritas Serap, Independent, DrSaxena Devanshi, University of Antwerp, PhD researcher
Scalera Domenico, Università del Sannio, Professor
Schrode Paula, University of Bayreuth, Prof. Dr.
Schwartz Charlie, University of California, Berkeley, Professor Emeritus
Seia Guadalupe, CONICET, Argentina, Dr.
Shimbo Lucia, University of Sao Paulo and Paris Institute, Associate Professor
Simonetta Federico, Gran Sasso Science Institute, Post-doc
Simoulidis John, York University, Associate Professor
Singer Brian, York University, Professor Emeritus
Sinha Shreya, Queen Mary University of London, Dr.
Sinha Subir, SOAS South Asia Institute, Dr. Director
Siviloglu Murat, Trinity College Dublin, Associate Professor
Smulders Frits, EU official, PhD Retired
Sorman Alev, Basque Centre for Climate Change, Assoc. Res. Prof.
Sözen Ülker, Leipzig University, Postdoc researcher
Spourdalakis Michalis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Emeritus Prof.
Spronk Susan, University of Ottawa, Associate Professor
Sterling Colin, University of Amsterdam, Assistant Professor
Stevano Sara, SOAS University of London, Dr
Suter Bethany, UC Berkeley, PhD Student
Tamer Damla, University of British Columbia, Sessional Lecturer
Theo Rouhette, Basque Centre for Climate Change, PhD Candidate
Tilley Lisa, SOAS, University of London, Senior Lecturer
Toews Ryan, York University, Canada, Professor
Tören Tolga, University of Kassel, Dr.
Trimikliniotis Nicos, University of Nicosia, Professor, Dr.
Tsamprou Maya, Independent, Cinematographer
Tungohan Ethel, York University, Associate Professor
Turhan Ethemcan, University of Groningen, Dr. / Assistant Professor
Ural Nur Yasemin, University of Leipzig, Dr./Senior Researcher
Valli Chiara, Malmö University, Senior lecturer
Valter Stéphane, University of Lyon 2, Professor
Van de Ven Dirk-Jan, Basque Centre for Climate Change, Research Fellow
Van den Berg, University of Nebraska--Lincoln, Professor Emeritus
van Stavern Irene, Erasmus University Rotterdam, professor
Ventresca Christa, University of Michigan, PhD Candidate
Vrachnakis Michail, University of Thessaly, Greece, Professor
Vuolteenaho Jani, University of Helsinki, Senior Lecturer
Webber Jeffery R, York University, Professor
Willans Peter, University of Tasmania, Dr.
Williamson Milly, University of London, Senior lecturer
Wright Cynthia, York University, Associate Professor
Yapan Batuhan Çağrı, University of Bremen, PhD candidate
Yilmaz Selin, University of Lausanne, Professor
Zarotiadis Grigoris, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Professor
Zuazu Izaskun, University of Duisburg-Essen, Postdoc

Become A sıgnatory

Thank you!

Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form :(

Get in touch

Email us