A School of Education Seminar hosted by the Centre for Research in Education Leadership and Management
Presented by Dr. Ecem Karlidag-Dennis, Associate Professor at the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact, University of Northampton
This presentation examines the transformation of basic education in Turkey, with particular emphasis on religious education and its implications for the broader education system. The central research question investigates how the state employs education policies to construct a new public ideology.
Situated within a critical tradition, the study employs a theoretical framework inspired by the Italian theorist Antonio Gramsci, specifically his concepts of hegemony, civil society, and consent. A Gramscian perspective allows this research to contextualise education reforms and policies within a broader socio-political framework. It illuminates how the state cultivates consent and utilises this consent to establish and perpetuate a new hegemony, positioning education as a strategic instrument in this process.
This work expands upon Dr. Karlidag-Dennis' doctoral research, and extends its focus to encompass the contemporary context in Turkey. This includes an analysis of the newly introduced curriculum in 2024 (referred to as the Maarif Model in the Turkish education system).
The analysis explores how the curriculum redefines the relationship between the state and its citizens, embedding religious and moral frameworks within educational institutions. It also considers the implications of these changes for pluralism, inclusivity, and democratic practices in Turkey. By situating these developments within a historical and political continuum, this presentation seeks to unpack the role of education as a mechanism for ideological transformation, critically engaging with the interplay between tradition, modernisation, and state power. The study also highlights the tensions the teachers face between adhering to state-driven ideologies and fostering inclusive, democratic, and participatory educational environments. It calls on educational leadership to navigate these challenges thoughtfully while considering their role in shaping a more equitable and diverse future.
Dr Ecem Karlidag-Dennis is an Associate Professor at the University of Northampton, within the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact. She was awarded her PhD in 2018 by the University of Nottingham, School of Education. Her expertise encompasses the sociology of education, with a particular emphasis on educational policymaking, social justice, and gender. She has extensive experience in educational projects and has been involved in a variety of national and international initiatives through her research institute. Dr Karlidag-Dennis serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Child and Family Studies and is a member of the Editorial Board for Research in Educational Administration and Leadership. Additionally, she is a member of the UKRI Talent Peer Review College.