Originally trained in Political Science, he holds a BA degree from Sabanci University, and MA and PhD degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, awarded in 2007 and 2012 respectively. His research areas include European edonomic and political integration, foreign policy making, International Political Economy and international negotiations. He has publications in various journals including European Union Politics (EUP), Turkish Studies, Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, Cambridge Review of International Affairs and Finans, Politik & Ekonomik Yorumlar Dergisi.