Bahcesehir University Center for Economic and Social Research (Betam) was founded in 2008 with the goal of establishing a tradition rooted in scientific research, and of becoming a universally accepted research platform. Betam conducts applied research on the economic and social issues of Turkey using scientific methodology. It evaluates the efficiency and the success of the current policies as well as producing policy recommendations. The output is shared with public in Turkey and abroad.
Betam consists of two main units. In the Economic Research Unit, it focuses on the research and development of economic policy in Turkey and abroad from a comparative perspective. Betam focuses mainly on labor market, economic conjuncture, growth, regional disparities, agriculture, education, public expenditures and foreign trade. In the Social Sciences Research Unit, it concentrates on the cultural, social and political structure of Turkey and its international relations.