02/11/2026
The 2026/27 opening event of the Mercator-IPC Research Scholarship Program, carried out in cooperation with Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center (IPM) and Stiftung Mercator, was held on Thursday, October 22, at The Seed at Sakıp Sabancı Museum. At the opening of the program, which entered its 15th term this year, Germany's former Special Representative for International Climate Action, Jennifer Morgan, known for her work in international climate policies and diplomacy, was the guest senior researcher and keynote speaker.
At the new meeting of the program, which aims to strengthen academic, political and social relations between Türkiye, Germany and Europe, the future of international climate governance, global energy security and Türkiye's role in climate diplomacy were discussed. Six new researchers and three short-term researchers joining the program in the 2026/27 period were also introduced at the event.
Jennifer Morgan: Türkiye can bridge global divides at COP31
Introducing Jennifer Morgan at the event, Program Coordinator Pelin Oğuz stated that Morgan has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of international climate policies, energy, diplomacy and civil society. Morgan served as Special Representative for International Climate Action within the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2022 and 2025. During this period, she assumed important responsibilities in shaping Germany's climate foreign policy and international negotiations. Morgan previously served as executive director of Greenpeace International.
In her speech titled "The Future of International Climate Governance: Geopolitics, Geoeconomics and Implementation Diplomacy", Jennifer Morgan emphasized that the climate crisis is increasingly intertwined with global security, energy policies and economic stability. Drawing attention to the vulnerabilities created by dependence on fossil fuels for countries, Morgan stated that the transition to renewable energy is important for energy independence and economic security as well as climate targets.
Jennifer Morgan, who devoted a significant part of her speech to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) to be held in Antalya in November, drew attention to the leadership role that Türkiye can assume in international climate negotiations. Stating that Türkiye is in a position to build bridges between different geographies and country groups, Morgan emphasized the importance of making concrete progress on the transition to clean energy, international cooperation, and climate finance.
In her assessment of Türkiye's role in the success of COP31, Jennifer Morgan said: "Achieving a successful COP31 will depend largely on Türkiye demonstrating visionary international leadership in Antalya, bridging global divides and moving the world away from the dangerous brink it is on."
After her speech, Jennifer Morgan also answered questions from the participants.
Senem Aydın-Düzgit: Mercator-IPC collaboration has created a strong research network in 15 years
Speaking after Jennifer Morgan's speech, Sabancı University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean and Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) Director Prof. Dr. Senem Aydın-Düzgit evaluated the 15-year development of the Mercator-IPC cooperation and the work carried out within the scope of the program.
Stating that the program has hosted 92 researchers and 27 senior researchers since 2012, Prof. Dr. Senem Aydın-Düzgit stated that areas such as climate change, Türkiye-European Union relations, energy security and digital governance are among the priority work topics of the program.
Prof. Dr. Senem Aydın-Düzgit made the following assessment regarding the development of the cooperation over the years: "Our partnership has maintained its flexibility and continued to develop despite all the regional, global and country-specific turmoil we have experienced in the last decade or more."
Christian Straube: Interaction between people and ideas is more important than ever
Stiftung Mercator Center for Europe in the World Interim Director Christian Straube drew attention to the importance of the 15-year-long collaboration between Sabancı University and Stiftung Mercator. Stating that international relations are shaped not only between states but also through ties, mutual trust and open dialogue between people, Straube stated that the importance of such partnerships has increased in changing global conditions.
Straube emphasized that relations between Türkiye and Europe should not be limited to short-term interests and said: "We are convinced that Türkiye-Europe relations should not be reduced to short-term interests. These relations should be built on trust, common values and long-term determination."
Yusuf Leblebici: This collaboration has made significant contributions to the international impact of our university
Sabancı University President Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici touched upon the importance of the partnership between Istanbul Policy Center and Stiftung Mercator for Sabancı University's international research activities. Emphasizing that the leadership and guidance of the late Prof. Dr. Fuat Keyman was decisive in the development of cooperation, Leblebici stated that valuable work continues to rise on the solid foundations laid in the past.
President Yusuf Leblebici drew attention to Sabancı University's goals of strengthening its presence in the international arena and improving the quality of research, and made the following assessment: "Especially the studies carried out within the Istanbul Policy Center and the collaborations with Stiftung Mercator played a critical role in expanding our influence in the international arena. These studies made significant contributions to the successes of Sabancı University over the years."
Stating that Sabancı University aims to develop its cooperation with IPC and Stiftung Mercator in the coming period, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici thanked all academics, colleagues, and stakeholders who contributed to the partnership.
The new term researchers of the Mercator-IPC Research Fellowship Program were introduced
Following the speeches, the 2026/27 researchers of the Mercator-IPC Research Fellowship Program were introduced. This year, Büşra Üner, Dilara Wiemann, Evren Mehmet Dinçer, Faruk Aksoy, Nazlı Demirel and Simon Happersberger participated in the program as researchers and Agim Selami, Andrea Briones and Atahan Demirel as short-term researchers.
The Mercator-IPC Research Scholarship Program, carried out within the scope of the Istanbul Policy Center-Sabancı University-Stiftung Mercator Initiative, aims to strengthen the academic, political, and social ties of Türkiye with Germany and Europe by supporting scientific research and practical policy studies.
