RESEARCH

Current/Ongoing Research

PROJECT

Co-designing Learning for Evidence-based climate policy in Marmara’s Municipalities, Türkiye

2025-2026

Co-lead, Funded by British Academy
Coordinated by, Institute for Development Studies, UK.

The project aims to strengthen knowledge systems required to support effective and socially just climate adaptation/mitigation action within and across urban municipalities in the Marmara Region of Türkiye.

PROJECT

UNESCO MOST School on AI and Migration Governance

2024-2025

Coordinator

Türkiye’s first UNESCO MOST School (Management of Social Transformations Program) examines the contributions of artificial intelligence to migration policies, exploring sustainable solutions for societal challenges. The School brings together researchers from social sciences and engineering with policy practitioners, aim to examine the use of artificial intelligence in migration governance processes and contribute to policy development in this field.

CONSULTANCY

Country of Origin Research

2025

Consultant, UNHCR

–

RESEARCH

Border-Cities from Crossroads to Confluence: Unraveling the Historical Legacies and Political Economy of Displacement in Edirne (Türkiye) and Lutsk (Ukraine)

2025-2026

Co-author: Nataliia Pavlikha

The research investigates the migration-related dynamics of two border cities—Edirne (Türkiye) and Lutsk (Ukraine)—to explore how they manage displaced populations who, at times, use these cities as short-term transit points or settle there for extended periods.

RESEARCH

Displacement and Urban Transformation: A Historical Perspective on Changing Cosmopolitan Nature of Istanbul

2025-2026

Co-author: Ahmet Icduygu

The research explores the historical trajectory of displacement in Istanbul, examining how the city has evolved into a significant hub for diverse displaced populations over the past century.

RESEARCH

Navigating Borders in Higher Education: Visa Challenges and Academic Mobility

2025-2026

Co-authors: Ahmet Icduygu, Birce Demiryontar

The research investigates how visa regulations impact the ability of academic researchers, students, and university staff from non-Schengen countries, to participate in collaborative projects that require mobility within or to Schengen countries

RESEARCH

Theoretical Approaches to Migration Corridors: Intersections of Agency, Structure, and Transnational Networks

2025-2026

Co-authors: Ahmet Icduygu, Aysen Ustubíci

The research aims to synthesize and expand existing theoretical frameworks by establishing connections with migration systems, migration regimes, and transnational networks. Two key dimensions guide this analysis: agency and the dynamic, multifaceted processes that influence the establishment and shaping of migration corridors.
See the Boston University Center on Forced Displacement, Migration Corridors Platform

RESEARCH

Interaction between Contested Dynamics of Migrant Integration and ID Regimes

2024-2026

Supported by COST-HIDDEN project

It explores the mobility of Afghan migrants and their decision making with regards to different ID regimes/protection policies of different countries on their route. Accordingly, the research also seeks to understand the interconnectedness, complementariness, and contradictions along the extensive route taken by many migrants between Afghanistan and France.
See the blog.

Projects/Consultancy

Analysis of Migration Challenges, Needs and Opportunities: Country report Turkiye, Consultant, ICMPD (2024).
“Gender mainstreaming in the context of migration”, Consultant, Council of Europe (2023).
“Analysis on Alternatives to Administrative Detention”, Consultant, UN IOM (2023).
EU COST-Action: Peace Research Community Europe (PEACE)
EU COST-Action: “History of Identity Documentation in European Nations: Citizenship, Nationality and Migration (2022-2026)”, Coordinated by Maynooth University, Ireland, Working Group Member.
“Social Cohesion and Women Empowerment in Iraq”, Consultant, SPARK Netherlands (2021-22).
“Migrant Smuggling and Human Rights Education Module”, Consultant, Council of Europe, 2022.
“Human Trafficking: Developing a Social Cohesion Methodology for the Migrants in Turkey”, Consultant, IOM, 2022.
“Training Module: Intercultural Communication”, Consultant, IOM Turkey
“My Health”, Funded by EU Sivil Düşün Programme, Project Coordinator, 2020.
“Wellbeing, Housing, and Infrastructure in Turkey” (WHIT), Funded by British Academy, Partner Coordinator/Senior Researcher, Coordinated by Institute for Development Studies (UK), 2019-2022.
Jean Monnet Chair on “Sustainable, inclusive and smart development in terms of decentralization: EU experience”, Coordinated by Prof.Dr. Nataliia Pavlikha, Ukraine, Researcher/Trainer, 2021-2024.
“Integrating Syrians into Turkish Higher Education through Recognition of Qualifications”, Project Coordinator, 2018-2019 (HOPES MADAD Programme).
“Inclusion in or Exclusion from Turkish Labour Market? An Ethnographic Analysis on Syrian refugees in Izmir”, Project Coordinator, August 2017-February 2018, Yasar University Research Project (BAP).
“Unravelling the Mediterranean Migration Crisis”, Economic and Research Council of the UK, 2015-2016, Partner Coordinator.
Jean Monnet Module, “EU Grants and Project Management”, Project Coordinator, 2014-17
7th Framework Marie Currie IRSES Programme: “Transatlantic Perspectives in a Changing Global Context: Multilateralism through Regionalism (EU-GLOBAL)” Partner Coordinator, 2012-15.
Erasmus Multilateral Programme: “UBIcamp: Integrated Solution to Virtual Mobility Barriers”, Partner Coordinator, 2012-14.
Leonardo da Vinci, Transfer of Innovation Program: “Developing Case Based Vocational Training for Innovation Management”, Partner Coordinator, 2013-15.
Izmir Development Agency, Economic Diversity in Rural Finacial Aid Programme: “Sarpıncık Soap Atelier: From Athena’s Olives to Karaburun’s Soaps”, Project Consultant, 2011-12.
“Erasmus Intensive Turkish Courses”, Project Coordinator, 2011.
Transversal Programme: “The Impact of LLL Strategies on Professional Higher Education”, Partner Coordinator, 2010-12.
Comenius/ Multilateral Programme, “Project Based School Management”- External Evaluator.
Leonardo da Vinci Programme, “Educational Strategies for the Promotion of Natural Heritage”, Partner Coordinator.
Socrates/ Intensive Programmes- “Security in an Information Society”, Partner Coordinator, 2007-08.
LLP/Intensive Programmes-“Securing the Digital World”, Partner Coordinator, 2008.
LLP/Intensive Programmes- “Management Summer School 2008”, Partner Coordinator, 2008.
Jean Monnet Action, “If the ECSC was Negotiated Today”, Partner Coordinator, 2007.
LLP/Thematic Networks- “The Network of European Studies”, Partner Coordinator, 2007.
LLP/ Intensive Programmes, “Network Security 4 and 6” Project Coordinator, 2008-09.
YOUTH, “Sosyal Entegrasyon için Üniversite Lise GençliğI El Ele”, Expert Counselling.
Ministry of Agriculture, The Netherlands Grant, Research Project, “Turkey in the European Union: Implications for Agricultural, Food, and Structural Policy”, Wageningen University, Researcher
Bridges of Knowledge Programme: “Training Program on the Enlargement Process of the European Union and Turkey”, Project Assistant, 2002.
Jean Monnet A3022, “Researching Europe: The European Integration by the View of Young Researchers”, Project Assistant, 2003.
INTERREG III B MEDOCC Programme “Network of Mediterranean Universities and other Academic Institutions- Master in Euro-Mediterranean Affairs”, Project Assistant, 2002-2003.
British Council-ODTÜ “Next Generation Europeans: Diversity in Action”, Project Assistant, 2003.
Wageningen University (Netherlands), “Turkey in the European Union: Exploring the Consequences for Agricultural, Food, Rural Development and Structural Policy”, Project Assistant, 2004.