Byzantine studies as an academic discipline in Türkiye: Academic lineages, institutional dynamics, and a multi-method analysis of field formation

This dissertation investigates the historical emergence, institutional development, and current challenges of Byzantine studies as an academic discipline in Türkiye. Despite Türkiye's centrality to Byzantine history and its rich cultural heritage, the field has long remained marginal within the country's academic landscape. This research addresses the question: How has Byzantine studies developed in Türkiye, and how can it overcome the institutional and ideological obstacles that have hindered its growth? Employing a multi-method approach, the study integrates oral history interviews with 35 scholars, quantitative analysis of nearly 1,500 graduate theses, and social network analysis of academic mentorship and institutional affiliations. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from the sociology of scientific knowledge and institutional theory—including Nicholas Mullins' Four-Stage Model of scholarly development and the concept of institutional entrepreneurship—the dissertation traces the formation of the field from its origins to its current fragmented state. It examines the roles of pioneering intellectual figures, organizational leaders, evolving academic lineages, and the structural constraints that have shaped—and often obstructed—the institutionalization of Byzantine studies in Türkiye. The study demonstrates that while early contributions by foreign scholars and pioneering Turkish academics were foundational, systemic bottlenecks—such as the absence of dedicated departments and programs (particularly in Byzantine history and archaeology), inadequacies in field-specific graduate education, deficiencies in knowledge of modern and source languages that limit the cultivation of researchers, and ideological resistance to Byzantine cultural heritage—have constrained the field's development and its institutionalization. Nonetheless, important bridges have emerged: research centers and symposia have fostered collaboration, visibility, and renewed generational interest in the discipline. The dissertation concludes by offering actionable strategies for strengthening Byzantine studies in Türkiye, including curricular reform, mentorship structures, cross-disciplinary networks, and participatory academic communities. It argues for a reframing of Byzantine studies not only as a field of historical inquiry but as a site of intellectual, institutional, and cultural negotiation—one whose future depends on inclusive, reflexive, and sustainable academic practices. As a participatory action research component, the dissertation culminates in the development of Bizantolog.org, a virtual community platform designed to address institutional fragmentation and foster peer-based academic solidarity. This platform serves as an intervention aimed at creating sustainable scholarly networks, encouraging inclusive engagement, and offering a replicable model for digital humanities–driven community building.