Born in 1956 in İzmir, Emre Gönen graduated from Kadıköy Saint Joseph High School and earned his BA and MA in Social Anthropology from the University of Strasbourg, France. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in European Union studies from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
After working in Turkey’s private sector (1985–1989), he joined the Economic Development Foundation, serving as its Secretary General from 1993 to 2000. Gönen later transitioned to academia at Istanbul Bilgi University, where he directed the European Studies MA program (2000–2011) and served as the Rector’s Advisor (2012–2023). He also worked as a Strategic Consultant for the Brussels-based consultancy CPS.
An accomplished columnist, Gönen wrote for the Daily Sabah for six years. He continues to teach at Istanbul Bilgi University, offering courses on European Political History, Colonialism, Western European Public Administration, and European Culture. His extensive body of work includes numerous research publications, articles, columns, and interviews.