Thesis: Leadership Transitions in Rebel Groups and the Symbolic Construction of the Martyrdom for Rebel Leaders
Supervisors: Professor Heather Hamill
I am a DPhil student at St Cross College, University of Oxford.
My research interests revolve broadly around inter- and intragroup attitudes, relations, and conflicts. More specifically, I am interested in examining the dynamics of hostilities and violence between groups, as well as how these phenomena are perceived and interpreted by individuals belonging to different groups.
Additionally, I have a keen interest in cinema, cinematic storytelling, and filmmaking. I believe there exists a mutually influential relationship between the fields of sociology and cinema to comprehend and interpret cultures and societies, perhaps beyond the typical synergistic dynamics seen in other potential combinations of scientific and artistic disciplines.
My thesis employs a mixed methodological approach to investigate the dynamics of leadership transitions within rebel groups and analyse the strategies utilised by these groups to successfully adapt to these changes.
While the main objective of this thesis is to examine leadership transitions resulting from the death of a leader, it also aims to include cases where a leader is involuntarily ousted from power or detained.
Research Interests: Political and civil violence; Death, dying, and suicide; Religion, religious groups, and secularisation; Martyrdom; Film and media studies
Previous Education: BA Economics & BA Sociology, Koç University; MSc Sociology, University of Oxford
