Burcu Karakaş is an Istanbul-based investigative journalist with over 15 years of experience, focusing on human rights, migration, gender, and religion. She has worked with Reuters, Deutsche Welle, and Turkish daily Milliyet, telling stories rooted in people’s lives through field-based reporting. Her cross-border investigations, in collaboration with teams like Bellingcat and Lighthouse Reports, have shed light on forced returns at EU borders and labor exploitation in global supply chains. 

She holds an MA in International Relations and Communication from Boston University and has taught journalism at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul. Her books include Biz Her Şeyiz: Diyanet’in İşleri (2021), an in-depth study of Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs under AKP rule, along with several other titles on press freedom and social issues. 

She was a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington and a Logan NonPiction Fellow, and is a two-time recipient of the EU Investigative Journalism Award. 

Made in Germany Imams: Conflict or Collaboration in Turkey-Germany Relations

In response to concerns over foreign-trained imams, Germany has sought to promote locally trained clerics as part of its integration policies. Turkey, however, sees these efforts as infringements on religious freedom, sparking tensions between the two countries. 

This project examines the evolving role of imam training programs in Turkey-Germany relations, focusing on how they have become both a source of diplomatic tension and a potential tool for cultural integration. It aims to understand the structure and impact of the imam training programs, considering their social, political, and diplomatic implications. 

Key areas of focus include the Turkish government’s response to Germany’s initiatives, the perspectives of Turkish-German communities, and the broader shifts in bilateral relations. This project offers a deeper understanding of how religion, migration, and foreign policy intersect.