The last two decades mark a continuous growth of authoritarian populism globally. What effects does authoritarian populism have on daily interactions? How do historically vulnerable social groups experience and respond to these effects? This presentation will explain how people negotiate the boundary-shifting effects of authoritarian populism in daily life and the mechanisms of intensifying civilian disciplinary actions in step with institutionalized authoritarian populism and formal state repression, focusing on Turkey.

Basak Gemici is a WCED Postdoctoral Fellow for 2022-24. She is a political sociologist whose research focuses on regime change, authoritarian populism, and conflict in everyday life using feminist research practice. She received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022, where she also completed doctoral certificates in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies and Cultural Studies. Basak is currently working on her book project, “Authoritarian Populism and Conflict in Daily Life,” based on field research in Turkey between 2017 and 2019. Drawing on ethnographic data from urban bus rides and interviews, she investigates the gendered, ethno-racial, and spatial organization of authoritarian populism in everyday life.

Basak is also a research affiliate at the Gender Inequality Research Lab (GIRL), University of Pittsburgh, and the Collaboratory Against Hate Research and Action Center, a co-initiative of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

This lecture will be presented in person in 555 Weiser Hall and on Zoom. Webinar registration required at http://myumi.ch/P1eGq

If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at weisercenter@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.