Bob Graham Center for Public Service

Onursal Erol is the international experiential learning coordinator and a lecturer focused on the Middle East and North Africa. He graduated with a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Chicago in 2020. Prior to joining the Bob Graham Center, he taught for three years at the University of Southern California’s Department of Middle East Studies. His research and teaching interests include the Middle East and North Africa, social movements, urban and environmental studies, and gender and sexuality.

Dr. Erol is dedicated to fostering an intellectually rigorous, creative, and supportive learning environment to provide his students with the highest quality of education. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Cities of the Middle East, Environment and Politics in the Middle East, Global Middle East, Power and Authority in the Middle East, Global Health and Human Rights, and supervision of Political Science and Global Studies BA theses.

He has received several awards for his teaching methods, including the American Political Science Association’s 2022 CQ Press Award for Teaching Innovation. With an educational background that spans four continents, he is equally passionate about guiding students toward international experiential learning opportunities.