Ali Eren Balıkel completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Mersin. To gain international experience, explore job opportunities, and enhance his foreign language skills, he pursued higher education abroad. He studied Business Administration at the London School of Commerce (LSC) through a program affiliated with the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC). Following his undergraduate studies, Dr. Balıkel completed an MBA at the University of Gloucestershire, where his thesis on branding and entrepreneurship earned an honorary award and was placed among the university’s most valuable theses. Translating theory into practice, he opened his first restaurant, “Kilikyas,” in London.

Continuing his academic journey, Dr. Balıkel obtained a master’s degree in Politics from Queen Mary University of London and earned a PhD from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He currently serves as a lecturer at Istanbul Kent University, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Department of International Trade and Logistics. His research focuses on the intersections of politics, economy, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Ali Eren Balıkel is the author of two books: Turkish Foreign Policy from Past to Present in a Theoretical Framework, which has been translated into eight languages, and A Sustainable World is Possible, which was distributed free of charge to libraries across Turkey to promote sustainability awareness. In addition to his books, he has published numerous articles in various international peer-reviewed journals.