The Halil İnalcık History and Social Sciences Research and Application Center was established in 2016, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Dr. Halil İnalcık, one of the most distinguished names in world historiography, and is dedicated to his cherished memory. Recognized throughout the world for his significant contributions to the science of history, Halil İnalcık left a broad scholarly legacy through works extending not only to Ottoman history but to many fields of the social sciences. The Center regards preserving, developing and passing on this legacy to future generations as its primary mission.
The working principles adopted by Prof. Dr. Halil İnalcık raised his research on Ottoman and Turkish history to the level of reference works in world historiography. The most distinctive feature of İnalcık's historical research is his strong methodology, based on meticulously extracting historical knowledge from archival documents. Applying this method together with an interdisciplinary perspective carried him to the ranks of the leading scholars in his field. This methodological framework continues to guide historiography today.
Taking İnalcık's working method as a reference, the History and Social Sciences Research Center aims to address historical research together with fields such as economics, law, geography, sociology, Islamic sciences and cultural studies. While its main areas of study are Ottoman and Turkish history, it also aims to conduct various academic projects in different fields of the social sciences.
The Halil İnalcık History and Social Sciences Research and Application Center is also a meeting point for academics and researchers. Through symposia, workshops, conferences and scientific meetings organized with the participation of experts from Turkey and around the world, the center increases interdisciplinary academic interaction and creates a common platform for knowledge production.
The Center's goal is not limited to keeping alive the works and methodology of Halil İnalcık; it also aims to contribute to Turkey's development in the fields of history, culture and education by training contemporary, qualified and entrepreneurial students and researchers who will carry on his scholarly school.
There is no doubt that the research center, which is to be regarded as a gift for İnalcık’s 100th birthday, will serve as an example for such goals and studies.