Ilter Turan was born on March 28, 1941 in Istanbul. Currently a professor of Political Science in the Department of International Relations of Istanbul University, he has also served as the president of that university 1998-2001. His previous employment has included professorships at Koc University (1993-1998) and Istanbul University (1964-1993) where he has also served as the chair of the International Relations Department (1987-1993) and the Director of the Center for the Study of the Balkans and the Middle East (1985-1993). Dr. Turan is currently the president of the Turkish Political Science Association. He serves on the board of several foundations including the Turkish Economic and Research foundation. His most recent writings have been on the domestic and international politics of water and on the Turkish parliament and its members.