Contact Information
Research Areas
Biography
Ömer Emre Kuşcu is a PhD student and geographer born and raised in Türkiye. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Istanbul University. Since his undergraduate studies, he has been interested in political geography and geopolitics, researching their history. He also conducts research on military geography, which is closely related to these fields.
Research Interests
Geopolitics, Military geography, Political geography.
Research Description
I'm currently working at the intersection of policy and security issues, which I believe constitute significant turning points in geography. I examine the power of geographic information, offer critical perspectives on it, and explore its history and potential future challenges (e.g., climate change). I particularly emphasize the importance of geographic information intelligence, GIS, and maps, and aim to highlight their significance, causes and effects for future challenges.
Education
Bachelor's Degree: İstanbul University, Geography (2021)
Master Degree: Istanbul University, Geography (2024)
Awards and Honors
- 1st Place Award Awarding (Istanbul University): First Place Award in the Department of Geography at Istanbul University with a grade point average of 3.97 out of 4.00.
- 2nd Place Award Awarding (Istanbul University): Second place award at Istanbul University Faculty of Literature
- Outstanding Achievement Award Awarding (Istanbul University): I received the Istanbul University Outstanding Achievement Award.
- Postgraduate Scholarship Awarding (TUBITAK): TUBITAK 2210 (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) Graduate Scholar
- YLSY Scholarship: Scholarship given to postgraduate students by the Ministry of National Education.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Graduate Student, The Program in Arms Control and Domestic and International Security
External Links
Volunteer Activities
- [2024 - ] Board Member and Contact Person for Young Geographers 3rd Region and Representative of Turkey
The Asian Geographical Association (AGA) - Young Geographer Working Group (YGWG)
- [ 2022 – 2024 ] Deputy Head of Youth Unit
Turkish Geographical Society
- [ 2021 – 2022 ] Representative of Istanbul University Youth Unit and Board Member
Turkish Geographical Society
Highlighted Publications
- Geographical Aspects of War: Military Geography
Istanbul University Press (in press)
This book holds significant academic importance as it is the first graduate-level study on military geography within Turkish literature, filling a major research gap. The author states that the field has been neglected in Turkey and aims to create a comprehensive framework by defining the discipline, its historical development, its scope, and its overall purpose. To demonstrate the practical value of the subject, the study analyzes how geographical conditions have impacted key battles throughout history.
Furthermore, the work highlights the critical role of military geography in understanding and providing solutions for contemporary and future security challenges, such as climate change, mass migration, and resource management, etc. By doing this, the book serves as a foundational text intended to revive the discipline in Türkiye and inspire future academic research on the topic.
- Children’s Atlas of the Turkic World
I participated as a researcher in this project, which was carried out by the Organization of Turkic States in 2024-2025. I conducted research on the human and physical geography of Central Asia (Turkestan) and prepared maps. As a result, the atlas was made available to the target audience both physically and digitally, enabling children to learn about Central Asia (Turkestan) in eight languages. The atlas was finalized after approval from the official Geographical Unions of eight countries. (https://www.turkdunyasiatlasi.com.tr)
Recent Publications
- From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific: Geography-Driven Rivalry and the New Geopolitics
Kuşcu Ö. E. (2024). From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific: Geography-Driven Rivalry and the New Geopolitics, In Emerging Power in Indo-Pacific Geopolitics. Istanbul: Ideal Publishing. ISBN: 978-625-8375-93-0
- An Analysis of the Urban Use of Military Geography from the Ottoman Empire to the Present: The Case of Edirne
Kuşcu, Ö. E., & Kapan, K. (2024). An analysis of the urban use of military geography from the Ottoman Empire to the present: The case of Edirne. In M. Ak & A. Üstüner (Eds.), Geography and Cartography in the Ottoman Empire (pp. 767–794). Istanbul University Press. https://doi.org/10.26650/B/AH03AH08.2024.039.027
- Military geography in conceptual and historical terms: Geography or geopolitics?
Turkish Journal of Geography, Issue 78, Pages 145-154.
Kapan, K., & Kuşcu, Ö. E. (2021). Military geography from a conceptual and historical perspective: Geography or geopolitics? Turkish Journal of Geography, (78), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.1006406
- Spatial Use of Geostrategic Conditions in Military Geography
Kuşcu, Ö. E., & Kapan, K. (2022). Spatial use of geostrategic conditions in military geography. Paper presented at the TÜCAUM International Geography Symposium, October 12–14, Ankara, Türkiye, pp. 439–454.
- The Beginning of the End Against the Generals of the Steppe: War and Geography in Nazi Germany's Russian Campaign
Journal of Anafartalar, 2025, Winter, 24th Issue.
- Tsarist Eyes on the Steppe: 19th Century Military Geographical Activities of the Russian Empire in Central Asia and Military Geographical Intelligence
International Geography Symposium (TUCAUM) Book. ISBN: 978-605-136-877-1