Contemporary Turkey Studies at the CCRD aims to foster exchange and dialogue among scholars working on contemporary Turkey by creating interdisciplinary academic networks on Turkey studies in Germany and Europe. Furthermore, the Center works to influence the direction of change in Turkey studies in Germany towards social sciences with a focus on contemporary Turkey. Within this context, academics from Turkey and their expertise play a key role. With activities and events, the project supports academics from Turkey who cannot continue their academic life in Turkey and move to Germany by creating different opportunities for knowledge production and sharing. Scientific knowledge on Turkish politics and society is linked to the public debate in Germany through the organization of panels and conferences.

Between 2014 and 2020, two rounds of the Stiftung Mercator funded program Blickwechsel: Contemporary Turkey Studies have been successfully implemented: