Independent Scholar | Urban Sociologist | Cultural Policy & Community Practice

Welcome to my digital space. I am a field-driven sociologist and action researcher navigating the intersections of urban culture, community dynamics, and public policy. Moving between the complex urban landscapes of Istanbul and London, my work bridges academic inquiry with grassroots, creative practice.

As a researcher, lecturer, and community advocate, I treat the city not just as a subject of study, but as a living laboratory for civic engagement, cultural equity, and sustainable food systems.

My Work & Outputs

My professional outputs are rooted in the belief that knowledge should be collaborative, accessible, and deeply connected to the field.

  • Research & Advisory: Investigating audience development, local cultural management, and cultural industries. My work spans independent consulting for institutions like İKSV to grassroots action research within local municipal structures.
  • Teaching & Learning: Designing responsive pedagogy for higher education and capacity-building workshops. I am dedicated to equipping students, community leaders, and cultural workers with the critical tools needed to analyze and transform their environments.
  • Observations: The world moves quickly, and not every insight fits into a peer-reviewed journal. In this space, I share occasional commentary, field notes, and cultural snapshots from outside the formal research loop.

My Praxis & Pedagogy

How we do the work matters as much as the work itself. My approach is defined by an ongoing commitment to a critical, reflective, and deeply localized practice.

Pedagogy as Dialogue My approach to teaching is grounded in critical pedagogy. I view the classroom as a democratic space where theory meets lived experience, encouraging students to unpack their own urban realities.

Reflective & Reflexive Practice Action research demands positionality. I maintain a rigorous reflexive practice—constantly examining my role as a researcher, an outsider, an insider, an NHS interpreter, and a community member (such as my work as a primary school governor in North London). This friction between theory and real-world execution is where genuine sociology happens.

Region & Translocality My insights are shaped by a translocal perspective. By anchoring my practice in specific geographies—from co-founding EK BİÇ YE İÇ in Istanbul to conducting community-driven research in Haringey, London—I explore how global urban challenges manifest in local, everyday neighborhoods.

Conversing & Collaborating

This site is an ongoing practice, and dialogue is a vital part of the loop. Whether you are working within arts, ecology, or pedagogy, I am always open to conversation.