Dr. Cigdem V. Sirin

Dr. Cigdem Sirin (pronounced Cheedém Shirin) is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She received her doctoral degree from Texas A&M University in 2009 and her BA degree from Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey in 2003.

Dr. Sirin's main areas of interest are international relations and political psychology. Her research centers on examining the microfoundations of interstate and intrastate conflict processes and outcomes. Her publications include articles in Journal of Politics, Political Psychology, International Studies Quarterly, International Political Science Review, and numerous other venues. Her book, co-authored with Nicholas Valentino and José Villalobos, entitled Seeing Us in Them: Social Divisions and the Politics of Group Empathy (Cambridge University Press 2021) is recipient of the 2022 APSA Best Book Award, the 2022 APSA Best Book in Experimental Research, the 2022 APSA Best Book in Political Psychology, and the 2022 ISPP David O. Sears Best Book on Mass Politics Award.

Dr. Sirin is a recipient of the University of Texas System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award and an inaugural member of UTEP's Academy of Distinguished Teachers.

Dr. Sirin served UTEP as the Director of the Center for Faculty Leadership and Development (CFLD) from 2020 to 2022 and coordinated UTEP’s Support for Online Learning (Sol) initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.