Prof. Dr. Nihal İncioğlu is a political scientist and sociologist with an extensive academic career spanning over four decades. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Middle East Technical University and completed her PhD at Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Sciences with a dissertation on Türkiye’s transition to the multi-party system.

Throughout her academic career at Marmara University and later at Istanbul Bilgi University, where she served as Professor of International Relations until 2020, she specialized in comparative politics, Turkish politics, political regimes, democratization, and local governance. Her research has combined theoretical analysis with field-based studies, particularly on metropolitan governance, local political structures, and democratic institutional development. 

Prof. İncioğlu has contributed to nationally and internationally supported research projects, including studies on metropolitan administration, regional policy, and political regime debates supported by institutions such as TESEV and the European Union. Her scholarship reflects a strong focus on democratic accountability, institutional design, and the relationship between governance structures and social dynamics. 

As a member of the Board, she brings a critical social science perspective to the Association’s work on Business and Human Rights. Her expertise in governance, democratization, and local political systems contributes to understanding the broader societal context in which corporate responsibility, human rights due diligence, and stakeholder engagement operate. Her background in field research and institutional analysis supports the Association’s efforts to ground responsible business practices in social realities and participatory governance approaches.