It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Nermin Abadan-Unat, a trailblazing scholar, dedicated educator, champion of women's rights, and pioneering political scientist.
Born in Vienna, Nermin Abadan-Unat completed her primary education at Izmir Girls' High School in 1940, followed by graduation from Istanbul University Faculty of Law in 1944. Her early career included work at the Ulus newspaper in Ankara. In 1952, she received a Fulbright scholarship and pursued graduate studies at the University of Minnesota.
In 1953, Nermin became the first female assistant at Ankara University's Faculty of Political Sciences, and in 1955, she earned her doctorate with her thesis titled "Public Opinion and Its Sphere of Influence." She rose through the academic ranks to become an associate professor in political science in 1958 and a full professor in 1966. Nermin established the Political Behavior Department at the Faculty of Political Sciences and taught courses in political sociology and communication studies.
Since 1963, she conducted various applied research projects on Turkish emigration, producing numerous books and articles in Turkish, German, and English. Her dedication extended to women's studies, and she served as a consultant for the Council of Europe's Gender Equality Commission from 1978 to 1999. In 2013, the Institute of Advanced Studies (IEA) in Paris organized a conference on her work titled “Migration, Liberation, and Pseudo-Orientalism.”
Nermin also taught at Istanbul University's Women's Studies Center and Boğaziçi University until 2016. She served as a visiting professor at various universities in the United States. Her professional contributions include serving on the International Political Science Association (IPSA) research committee and as president of the Turkish Social Sciences Association. She was also a senator in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Her accolades include the Order of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) from the President of Germany, the Fulbright Lifetime Academic Service Award, the Courageous Woman Award from Kültür University, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Marmara University, the Vehbi Koç Foundation Education Award, the METU Great Service Award, the Ankara Mülkiyeliler Association Grand Mülkiye Award and many more.
Nermin Abadan-Unat’s legacy includes significant contributions to public opinion research, political science, and women's studies. Her notable publications include "Public Opinion and Its Sphere of Influence," "Turkish Workers in West Germany and Their Problems," "Women in Turkish Society," and "Emancipation in Exile."
In honor of her lifelong dedication to education and empowerment, the family requests that donations be made in her name to fund scholarships for deserving students. These scholarships will be awarded in her name, continuing her legacy of fostering knowledge and equality in collaboration with Cagdas Yasami Destekleme Dernegi (CYDD) and Ihtiyac Haritasi.
Please join us in carrying forward Nermin Abadan-Unat’s vision of education and empowerment.
