EDUCATION
2004– 2011 | Ph.D. in Political Science
Hacettepe University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Ankara, Türkiye
Areas of interest: Discourse Analysis, Cultural Studies, Identity Politics, Intercultural Communication
Thesis Title: Intercultural Dialogue in the European Union within the Framework of Critical Discourse Analysis
2001-2002 | M.A in Public Communication and Public Relations (with scholarship)
University of Westminster, Faculty of Creative Industries, London, UK
Areas of interest: International PR, Public Diplomacy, Perception Management, Identity Politics
Thesis Title: Armenian Conflict: An International Public Relations Case
1997 – 2001 | BA in International Relations (with scholarship)
Bilkent University, Department of International Relations, Ankara, Türkiye
Areas of Interest: International Organizations (UN, EU, OECD) and foreign policy analysis
1986 – 1997 | Primary, Secondary and High School
TED Ankara College, Ankara, Türkiye
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Taught one semester seminar course “International Communications Project Management” at the Faculty of Communications, Eskisehir Anadolu University, 2012-2013 Academic Year, Fall Term
WORK EXPERIENCE
December 2022 – Recent | United States Department of State, Embassy of Ankara
Public Affairs Section, Public Diplomacy Manager
Serves as the senior policy and communication advisor to the U.S. Mission in Türkiye in the cultural and education exchanges domain.
Leads the Mission Türkiye’s public diplomacy engagement with primarily youth and emerging voices who are able to influence Turkish attitudes toward the U.S. using new, often digital, communication networks.
Designs and recommend strategies and oversees grant projects to connect the U.S Mission in Türkiye with Turkish NGO’s, official bodies, social entrepreneurial organizations, and educational institutions to build and sustain productive dialogue and to promote mutual understanding.
Manages cultural heritage portfolio across the U.S. Mission in Türkiye and oversees the grant projects with budget of around 4 million USD.
Directs and supervises American Spaces, educational and cultural exchanges and experiential learning programs across the U.S. Mission in Türkiye.
Coordinates protocol matters with private and public institutions and advises VIP visitors on sensitive cultural and educational issues.
Serves as the co-chair of the U.S. Mission in Türkiye Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Council.
