Prof. Dr. Vedat Yorucu, Head of Department of Business Administration at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Business and Economics, continues to stand out with his extensive academic work and scholarly achievements. Through his research and publications focusing on energy economics, geopolitics, and sustainable development, Prof. Dr. Yorucu has established himself as a respected reference source for both the academic community and decision-makers in the field.
Co-Author of Major Academic Publications
Prof. Dr. Vedat Yorucu co-authored a number of influential and interconnected books with the late Turkish Cypriot academic Prof. Dr. Özay Mehmet, focusing particularly on the Eastern Mediterranean, energy security, and regional geopolitics. Among these works, the book titled “Southern Energy Corridor: The Role of Turkey in European Energy Security (2018)” examines Türkiye’s strategic role in transporting Caspian and Middle Eastern natural gas to Europe, while analyzing how projects such as TANAP and TAP could help reduce Europe’s energy dependence.
In “Modern Geopolitics of Eastern Mediterranean Hydrocarbons in an Age of Energy Transformation (2020)”, the regional implications of hydrocarbon discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean during the global energy transition process are discussed through themes such as the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, exclusive economic zones, and the strategic policies of regional states.
The publication “Islands in Maritime Disputes: Greece Turkey Geo-Political Relations (2022)” explores the influence of islands on maritime jurisdiction areas within the framework of international maritime law. The work particularly evaluates the role of small islands in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean in relation to exclusive economic zones, maritime boundaries, and hydrocarbon exploration activities from the perspective of Turkish-Greek relations.
In the book titled “From Land Disputes to Sustainable Development: A Near East Perspective (2024)”, the environmental consequences of territorial and border disputes are examined, while also presenting proposals for resolving long-standing conflicts, such as the Cyprus issue, through peaceful and sustainability-oriented approaches.
Prof. Dr. Yorucu also co-authored “Modern Approach of Resilient and Sustainable Smart Cities (2026)” together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Festus Victor Bekun and Prof. Dr. İbrahim Yitmen. The book discusses how cities can become more resilient in the face of climate change, population growth, and technological transformation, while also evaluating the role of data-driven governance and artificial intelligence in urban planning.
When these five publications are considered collectively, they demonstrate that Prof. Dr. Yorucu has made significant contributions across a broad spectrum of fields ranging from energy diplomacy and sustainable development to geopolitics and smart city approaches. These works not only shed light on the energy policies of both Türkiye and the Eastern Mediterranean, but also provide a scientific framework for the sustainable and peaceful management of resources.
Who is Prof. Dr. Vedat Yorucu?
Prof. Dr. Vedat Yorucu was born in Nicosia in 1970 and earned his doctoral degree in Economics from University of Leicester in 1998. In the same year, he joined Eastern Mediterranean University, where he continues to serve as Chair of the Department of Economics. Alongside his academic responsibilities, Prof. Dr. Yorucu has played significant roles in the public sector. For five years, he served as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministers of Economy and Finance and to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, actively contributing to economic policy-making and strategic planning processes.
Within the scope of his international academic engagements, Prof. Dr. Yorucu lectured and carried out research activities at the College of Europe Bruges Campus during the summer terms between 2013 and 2017, and later continued similar academic work at Carleton University in the summer of 2018. His academic studies focus on development economics, sustainability, construction economics, energy economics and policy, and applied econometrics. Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Yorucu has published numerous articles in internationally peer-reviewed academic journals. (www.vedatyorucu.com)