Celebrating Excellence in Mentorship: Burcu Pinar Alakoc Recognized by Division of the Social Sciences

We are proud to congratulate Dr. Burcu Pinar Alakoc, Instructional Professor in UChicago’s Committee on International Relations, on receiving the 2025 Division of the Social Sciences Award for Excellence in M.A. Advising & Mentoring.

Dr. Alakoc is a dedicated teacher and mentor whose work with CIR students spans the full graduate experience, from building foundational knowledge in her courses on International Security and Order, Political Violence & Terrorism, and Middle East Politics, to guiding students through the intellectual and practical challenges of the M.A. thesis process as a preceptor.

This award recognizes the care, rigor, and generosity she brings to mentoring. Students consistently highlight her ability to create supportive and intellectually vibrant spaces, where they are encouraged to take risks with their research, refine their arguments, and connect their academic training to future goals.