Department of Sociology Hosts Prof. Walter D. Mignolo, a Leading Scholar of Decolonial Theory

The Department of Sociology at Ibn Haldun University hosted Prof. Walter D. Mignolo, one of the leading figures in decolonial theory on 13th May, Wednesday, on our Süleymaniye campus.

During the meeting, an insightful conversation was held on “decolonization”, focusing on the place of decolonial thought in contemporary social sciences, the critique of modernity, and the possibilities of alternative forms of knowledge production beyond Western-centered frameworks.

The discussion addressed the new perspectives opened up by decolonial theory in understanding contemporary societies, the relationship between modernity and coloniality, the significance of local and non-Western intellectual traditions, and the need to rethink knowledge production in a global academic context.

The Term Decoloniality in Academy

The event brought together faculty members from the Department of Sociology and invited scholars for a rich academic exchange. Participants discussed the theoretical and practical dimensions of decolonial thought, as well as its relevance for sociology and the broader field of social sciences.

The meeting was attended by Ibn Haldun University faculty members Prof. Ramazan Aras, Prof. Alev Erkilet, Dr. Heba Ezzat, Assoc. Prof. Vahdettin Işık, and Dr. Alp Eren Topal. Prof. Syed Farid Alatas from the National University of Singapore, who is currently serving as a visiting faculty member in the Department of Sociology, also contributed to the discussion.

Enriched by the questions, comments, and reflections of the participants, the program provided a valuable platform for discussing decolonial theory, epistemic plurality, and alternative approaches to social scientific inquiry.

As the Department of Sociology at Ibn Haldun University, we were pleased to host Prof. Walter D. Mignolo at our university. We believe that such academic gatherings contribute significantly to the development of critical thinking in the social sciences and to the formation of meaningful dialogues across different intellectual traditions.