Şenol Yağdı | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Şenol Yağdı | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Vienna |Austria

Author Profile

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Şenol Yağdı embarked on an impressive academic journey that spans multiple disciplines. He earned dual doctorates: one in Religious Education from the University of Graz, focusing on Islamic religious teachers in Austria, and another in Educational Sciences from Alpe-Adria University Klagenfurt, where he explored the educational strategies of second-generation Turkish migrants. Complementing these were multiple master's degrees in Islamic Studies, Political Education, and Islamic Religious Education, along with undergraduate studies in Philosophy, Educational Sciences, and Islamic Theology.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Yağdı's career reflects deep commitment to both teaching and research. He has served as a research assistant and associate across numerous high-impact projects at the University of Vienna and University of Graz, addressing themes such as interreligious education, radicalism prevention, and mosque communities in Austria. His practical experience includes fieldwork, curriculum development, and the implementation of interreligious teaching methods in pilot schools. Since 2014, he has also served as an Islamic religious teacher in Viennese high schools, bringing theory into practice.

📚 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Yağdı’s research primarily delves into Islamic religious education, interreligious learning, educational advancement among migrants, and religious pedagogical discourse. He is widely recognized for his reconstructive study on the pedagogical habitus of Islamic teachers and his empirical contributions to Christian-Islamic team teaching. His work is grounded in field research and qualitative methodologies, enriching academic discourse with grounded, practical insights.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

A significant milestone in Dr. Yağdı’s career was the Austrian Integration Fund Research Award 2024, awarded for his doctoral research exploring the pedagogical orientation of Islamic religious educators in Austria. This award underscores his influence in shaping inclusive and evidence-based educational models in pluralistic societies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through a prolific output of peer-reviewed articles, monographs, and edited volumes, Dr. Yağdı has contributed substantially to Islamic theology, religious pedagogy, and educational science. His publications are frequently cited in discussions on interreligious education and the integration of Islamic pedagogy into European contexts. His collaborative research with scholars across disciplines demonstrates his interdisciplinary reach and commitment to dialogue.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Dr. Yağdı continues to shape the future of religious education through his upcoming works on religious pluralism, theological contributions to education, and interreligious hermeneutics. With several volumes forthcoming in 2025, his legacy as a scholar deeply engaged in the dialogue between tradition and modernity, faith and education, is solidifying. His continued presence in academia and public discourse ensures that his research will influence policy, curriculum, and interfaith understanding for years to come.

Publications


  • 📄 Islamic Religious Education and Citizenship Education: An Empirical Study of Teachers’ Perspectives in Austria
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Journal: Religions
    Year: 2025


  • 📄: Bericht über die Online-Tagung „Beiträge der islamisch-theologischen Forschung zur religionspädagogischen Theorieentwicklung – Konzepte und Modelle zur Vermittlung einer zeitgemäßen religiösen Bildung“, organisiert vom Institut für Islamisch-Theologische Studien der Universität Wien
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Journal: HIKMA
    Year: 2024


  • 📄 Bericht über die Online-Tagung „Islamische Religionspädagogik im aktuellen Diskurs – Empirische Erkenntnisse zur zeitgemäßen religiösen Bildung in einer pluralen Gesellschaft“, organisiert vom Institut für Islamisch-Theologische Studien der Universität Wien
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Journal: HIKMA
    Year: 2024


  • 📄 Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung im christlich-muslimischen Dialog – Chancen einer interreligiösen Auseinandersetzung mit Menschenbildern.
    Author: Şenol Yağdı; Christian Feichtinger
    Journal: Theo Web
    Year: 2024


  • 📄 Erfahrungen und Orientierungen islamischer Religionslehrerinnen im österreichischen Schulsystem – Empirische Erkenntnisse zur religiösen und interreligiösen Bildung.*
    Author: Şenol Yağdı
    Book Title: Christlich-Islamischer Religionsunterricht im Teamteaching. Beiträge zu Theorie und Praxis interreligiöser Bildung.
    Year: 2024


 

GÖZDE TOMRİS | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. GÖZDE TOMRİS | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Eskisehir Osmangazi University | Turkey

Author Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Gözde Tomris began her academic career at Hacettepe University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. Her early academic interests focused on the intersection of health and education, particularly in the context of special education. She continued her studies at Anadolu University, obtaining both a Master’s and a Doctoral degree in Educational Sciences. Her theses were centered on early intervention programs and the prevention of problem behaviors in children, specifically those with Down syndrome.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Tomris's professional journey has been marked by her dedication to special education. She has served as a Research Assistant at Anadolu University and Eskisehir Osmangazi University, where she contributed to various research projects and initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for children with mental disabilities. In 2020, she was appointed as an Assistant Professor at Eskisehir Osmangazi University, where she continues to work in the Department of Education for the Mentally Disabled.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Tomris's research primarily focuses on the development and implementation of educational interventions for children with special needs. Her work includes the design and evaluation of programs that support children with Down syndrome and other mental disabilities. She has published several short communications in educational journals, discussing topics such as child development monitoring and self-care skills for individuals with Down syndrome. Additionally, she has served as an editor for various academic publications, contributing to the field's body of knowledge.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout her career, Dr. Tomris has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to special education. These include the Barrier-Free Informatics Education Award from the Türkiye Barrier-Free Informatics Platform in 2018 and multiple performance incentive certificates from Anadolu University. Her achievements reflect her commitment to excellence in both research and teaching.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Tomris has had a significant impact on the field of special education through her research, teaching, and editorial work. Her studies on early intervention programs and problem behavior prevention have informed best practices and contributed to the development of effective educational strategies for children with special needs. Her role as an educator has also allowed her to influence the next generation of special education professionals.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Tomris's ongoing work continues to shape the field of special education. Her commitment to research and her dedication to improving educational outcomes for children with mental disabilities ensure that her contributions will have a lasting impact. Future projects and research initiatives are expected to further advance understanding and practices in special education, building on her legacy of innovation and excellence.

Notable Publications

A chain of interlocking rings”: Preschool teachers’ experiences regarding home-school collaboration with a focus on children with special needs and their parents in inclusive education 2024

Views of Parents of Children With Down Syndrome on Early Intervention Services in Turkey: Problems, Expectations, and Suggestions 2022 (1)

The COVID-19 pandemic: The evaluation of the emergency remote parent training program based on at-home support for children with down syndrome 2022 (5)

Early Intervention Services for Young Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families: Recent Trends in the World and Turkey 2020 (1)

Effectiveness of Teaching Café Waitering to Adults with Intellectual Disability through Audio-Visual Technologies 2017 (18)