Berkay Koçak, PhD

About

I am a political science doctoral researcher from Türkiye, currently based in New Zealand, with a research focus on political theory and critical political economy.

I completed my PhD in the Political Science and Public Policy programme at the University of Waikato (2018–2024) and have taught courses in political theory and political economy at both the University of Waikato (2019–2020) and the University of Otago (2022–2023).

My research is situated within the tradition of critical political economy and historical materialism, with particular interest in the social history of political thought and the political economy of globalisation. I focus on contemporary transformations emerging in the post-pandemic period—specifically trends of authoritarianism, reindustrialisation, militarisation, and green transition.

Since January 2025, I have been working as a Policy Analyst at Dunedin City Council, where I contribute to the development and evaluation of local strategies, policies, and processes, with a focus on community well-being, equity, and sustainable development.