International academic meeting from IGU: "Current Discussions from the Perspective of Sociology and Philosophy" congress was held

The international congress titled "Current Discussions from the Perspective of Sociology and Philosophy" organized by the Sociology Department of Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) was held in hybrid format on 15-16 May 2025. The congress, which brought together academics on a global scale, offered a remarkable academic platform in terms of both content and participant diversity.

29 academics from 10 countries participated

A total of 29 academicians from Turkey, Germany, France, USA, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Lebanon, Greece, TRNC and Azerbaijan attended the congress hosted by IGU Sociology Department with their papers. In this respect, the event has created a strong communication ground not only at the scientific level but also in terms of intercultural interaction.
In the opening program of the congress, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences Prof. DKenan Aydın and Vice Deans Assoc. Prof. Emrah Doğan and Asst. Prof. Özlem Tuğçe Keleş, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Prof. Dr. Kamil Kaya took part. In the opening speeches, Head of Sociology Department Asst. Prof. Ayşe Aydın emphasized the connection of sociology with philosophy and the importance of these disciplines in solving today's social crises. Prof. Kenan Aydın drew attention to the international nature of the congress. Prof. Kamil Kaya, on the other hand, expressed his satisfaction with hosting such an event as a department.

In-depth discussions in seven sessions

The congress was shaped by an interdisciplinary approach in seven different sessions. Topics discussed included:
               •             Social impacts of artificial intelligence and digitalization
               •             The role of emotions in everyday life
               •             Nation, identity and political society debates
               •             Resistance, criticism and alternative perspectives
               •             Inquiries about ecology, capitalism and the future
               •             Identity, women and migration relations
               •             Themes of meaning seeking, life and death

These topics offered participants the opportunity to analyze today's world with the critical thinking methods of both sociology and philosophy.

Interdisciplinary approach and critical perspective

The "Contemporary Discussions from the Perspective of Sociology and Philosophy" congress underlined not only interdisciplinary but also interdisciplinary intellectual collaborations. The links established between philosophical thought and sociological analysis were discussed in depth in the presentations. This approach allowed social problems to be discussed not only in their technical but also in their ethical and existential aspects.

First international congress from IGU Department of Sociology

This congress is the first international congress organized by the Department of Sociology of Istanbul Gelisim University. Offering an important academic platform in terms of both the timeliness of the themes discussed and approaches based on critical thinking, the event reflected the university's productivity and international interaction power in the field of social sciences.

The congress once again made visible the impact of scientific thought on social life with its content, participatory diversity and student contribution. In this respect, it is expected that the Department of Sociology will lead similar international activities in the following years and the academic production of the department will become more visible.