Sakarya Economic and Social Research Center (SESAM) is a research and application center within Sakarya University that transforms academic knowledge into societal benefit.
With a long-standing history dating back to 1965, SESAM traces its roots to the Sakarya Social Research Center (SSAM), established within the Institute of Economics and Sociology at Istanbul University. Since its establishment, the Center has conducted research on the history, geography, urbanization, migration, working life, and socio-economic structure of Sakarya and its surrounding region. Following the establishment of Sakarya University in 1992, the Center's activities began to be carried out from Sakarya. In 2005, the Center was renamed the Sakarya Center for Economic and Social Research (SESAM), and its fields of research were subsequently expanded.
Today, SESAM conducts applied research, consultancy, training, and project activities in three main areas: regional labour markets and vocational education, disaster resilience and community preparedness, and sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. These areas are closely aligned with the European Union's research and innovation agenda and intersect particularly with research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society, Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space, and Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.
SESAM contributes to national and international research and innovation projects, particularly EU-funded projects, through activities including academic research, field studies, data collection and analysis, needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, training and capacity building, pilot implementation, dissemination, and impact assessment. In this context, the Center develops collaborations with universities, research centers, municipalities and other public institutions, regional development organizations, civil society organizations, and private-sector representatives from different countries. SESAM is open to joining new project consortia and developing international partnerships.
SESAM's activities focus on bringing together academic knowledge and field experience to develop scientifically grounded and practical solutions to the needs of Sakarya and the wider region. In this context, the Center organizes national and international seminars, conferences, congresses, symposiums, panels, and training programs; conducts research, consultancy, and reporting activities for public and private-sector organizations; and contributes to the development of academic collaborations.
SESAM continues its activities as a research and application center that connects the academic expertise of Sakarya University with local and regional needs while also bringing this expertise into national and international research and innovation ecosystems.
The Center carries out activities including:
a) Conducting scientific research, studies, and applications, and encouraging such activities;
b) Organizing seminars, conferences, congresses, symposiums, panels, and training programs at national and international levels;
c) Conducting research and studies aimed at addressing the problems encountered by public and private-sector organizations within its fields of activity; providing opinions and recommendations; preparing reports; providing consultancy services; carrying out projects and similar activities; and developing academic collaborations with relevant institutions and organizations;
d) Organizing training and professional development programs within its fields of activity and awarding certificates to participants who successfully complete such programs;
e) Publishing academic and other relevant materials related to its activities and fields of work;
f) Encouraging academic staff of Sakarya University to conduct research and applied studies within the Center's fields of activity.
The SESAM Board of Directors consists of five members: the Center Director, the Deputy Director, and three members elected by the University Executive Board from among six candidates nominated by the Rector from among faculty members with relevant expertise.
Working groups may be established for research conducted in specialized fields, and group leaders may be appointed accordingly. Group leaders work under the supervision of the Center Director.
As of 2025, SESAM is located at Sakarya University, Kemalpaşa Neighborhood, Üniversite Caddesi Sokak, Esentepe Evleri Sitesi No: 97/7, Serdivan, D:101, Sakarya, Türkiye.
