Entangled or Entwined? Scientific Networks within Turkish Higher Education Studies: A Secondary Data Analysis

Murat Özdemir, Ahmet Aypay, Pınar Ayyıldız

2025

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DOI 10.53478/yuksekogretim.1605133
Data confidence 85 high
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Abstract

This study delves into the academic production networks inherent in Turkish higher education studies, with a particular focus on the impact of gender inequality. We employed a secondary data analysis approach, utilizing comprehensive data retrieved from the Turkish National Thesis Center database. The research data encompasses a total of 854 doctoral dissertations submitted between the years 1967 and 2020. The methodology is designed to assess the pivotal characteristics of doctoral supervisors, PhD candidates, and committees whilst exploring the roles of several parameters viz. gender, academic title, and multidisciplinary collaboration within these networks. The data analysis includes frequencies and percentages to better identify the trends and patterns. The findings reveal a significant gender imbalance in the Turkish academic landscape. Male academics occupy a rather disproportionately higher number of leadership positions compared to their female counterparts. The networking dynamics appear to work against women and junior faculty, multidisciplinary endeavors are quite rare, unlike the characteristics of the field. Fortunately, the number of female doctoral students is on the rise. Based on the research results, we suggest both cultural and structural arrangements to support women researchers and women’s studies such as funding and mentoring. These measures are essential for fostering an environment where all academics, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to the advancement of science.