As a part of Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) within OPEN COST Action (CA22121), I have visited to Dr. Anita Lunić at the University of Split in Croatia between 06.07.2024 and 15.07.2024. In our meetings with Dr. Lunić, we worked on our proposed article entitled as “Examining academic freedom in 20th century: Higher education as a tool of state ideology”. We exchanged our information about the historical structure and the higher education in Croatia and Türkiye, discussed on theoretical approaches to higher education and state ideology, looked for the ways of creating an original theoretical approach by combining different theories. At the end of our efforts, we determined our article’s main sections and draft arguments.  

This STSM visit was very fruitful for me as it gave me to opportunity to debate on HE, academic freedom and state ideology in different dimensions and it also provided me with an opportunity to strengthen my relationship for continued research collaboration. Even though I already studied on the relationship between primary/ secondary education and ideology, carrying my studies to the HE level is a new task for me. Having an opportunity to meet with people and be able to debate on these issues was extremely helpful for me. Additionally, as our collaboration with Dr. Lunić within the STSM is expected to be a part of my research project about higher education in Türkiye, this STSM has been a very productive process for me in various ways. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the OPEN COST managers who gave me this opportunity. I am also grateful to Dr. Anita Lunić for hosting me in the best possible way and for her hospitality. Apart from our collaboration, I learned a lot from Dr. Lunić about the history of the city of Split. 

I believe that I will contribute to the objectives of the CA22121, and especially to the WG1: Research Genealogy which I am a member of by bringing together higher education and political science studies and developing theorisation and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences in our next WG1 meeting.