dr. B (Bilge) Sahin

Biography

I am an Assistant Professor in Conflict and Peace Studies at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS). My research focuses on gender, armed conflict, and security. As a feminist scholar, I examine the gendered and sexualized dynamics of war and peacebuilding, centering the experiences and agency of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Grounded in feminist security studies and post-structural theory, my work explores how gender and sexuality shape the causes, consequences, and potential resolutions of conflict. I pay particular attention to international interventions addressing sexual and gender-based violence and gender justice, analyzing the gap between policy and practice while highlighting how women’s groups and civil society organizations shape everyday peace and security strategies. I also study the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, focusing on its implementation challenges and its potential to transform power relations. My research draws on participatory methodologies and close collaboration with women’s organizations and civil society actors. Geographically, I specialize in East Africa, with extensive fieldwork in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Kenya, and I also have deep regional expertise in the Middle East, particularly Turkey. Alongside my research, I provide policy guidance on gender, conflict, and security, and I am committed to mentoring students and collaborating on projects that advance feminist approaches to peacebuilding.

I received my PhD in Development Studies from SOAS University of London in 2019. Before joining ISS, I served as an Assistant Professor at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University (Turkey), a Research Associate at SOAS, and a Visiting Lecturer at the Social Sciences University of Ankara.