Türkiye'de araştırma üniversitesi yapılanması: Fenomenolojik bir vaka çalışması

Research universities first emerged in the 19th century with the establishment of Humboldt University to solve social problems. The classification of research universities in the United States began in 1970 with the Carnegie Classification. The research university process started for the first time in Turkey in 2017 to increase the international prestige of Turkish universities, produce qualified knowledge and research that will enrich the socio-economic level of the society. This study aims to examine the current situation of research universities in Turkey, to find solutions to their obstacles and to offer suggestions for the future of research universities from academicians' point of view. This phenomenological case study covers a research university in Ankara. The context of the study will be given as a pseudonym as the International Research University (IRU). The data were collected through online semi-structured v interviews with 16 academicians using maximum variation sampling method. Data were analyzed according to phenomenological case analysis techniques. The findings suggest that research universities are essential for socio-economic progress; but it showed that the concept of a research university is not yet fully formed among academicians in research university institutions. Research universities face with a lack of autonomy, challenge to find funding, high course load, and student numbers. The results revealed that a necessary research infrastructure should be provided, and innovative, interdisciplinary and international studies should be encouraged. For this, the research university process should be considered as a whole with interaction of the higher education policy makers, government, industry and university stakeholders.