Science and Technology Policy Studies (STPS) program was founded in 1997 at the Middle East Technical University with the explicit objective to supply science and technology policy related human capital for the government bodies, agencies, and other related organizations and to conduct research in science, technology, and innovation policy issues. It has organic relations with the Science and Technology Policies Research Center (TEKPOL). Education and research elements integrate under METU-TEKPOL.
TEKPOL is the only academic unit in Turkey that concurrently coordinates education and research activities. It operates M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in science technology policy studies at the Graduate School of Social Sciences. TEKPOL also conducts research on the broad topics of science and technology policy and science, technology and society with the aim of addressing societal challenges.
TEKPOL adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the study of technological change, focusing on the economic, social, and policy dimensions that shape innovation and structural transformation. Our research addresses key challenges in science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy, combining analytical work on policy design and evaluation with empirical studies of technological development and industrial transformation. A central research area concerns innovation and industrial policy, examining how governments design instruments such as R&D incentives, public procurement, and strategic policy frameworks to support technological upgrading and long-term economic development. Closely related is TEKPOL’s work on innovation networks and knowledge dynamics, which explores how collaboration patterns and knowledge flows influence technological capabilities and innovation performance.
TEKPOL also investigates the economic and societal implications of digital transformation and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced digital infrastructures that reshape production, services, and labor markets. In parallel, the center conducts research on the green transformation of the economy, focusing on renewable energy technologies, sustainability transitions, and policies supporting low-carbon development. Another strand examines technology-based entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, analyzing how startups and new ventures emerge and scale in technology-intensive sectors.
In addition, TEKPOL contributes to technology assessment and responsible innovation, evaluating the societal impacts, ethical implications, and governance challenges associated with emerging technologies. Complementing these themes, the center studies technological change, skills, and labor markets, as well as regional patterns of innovation and development. Through these interconnected research areas, TEKPOL aims to generate evidence-based insights that support policy responses to digital and green transformations while strengthening technological capabilities and long-term economic competitiveness.
As of 2026 TEKPOL has 5 full-time members, 5 affiliated members, 13 part-time lecturers and thesis supervisors, and 2 research assistants.