Our Research Team

Prof. Dr. Belma AKŞİT
Received her bachelor's degree from METU Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology, master's degree from Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies (HIPS), and doctorate in Family Health from the Institute of Health Sciences. In her early career, she worked as a researcher at the Provincial Bank City and Region Department and HIPS. She later served at Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Public Health Department, Başkent University Medical and Communication Faculties, and Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University Faculty of Communication. She is retired from Maltepe University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Sociology Department where she worked for 15 years, serving two terms as Vice Rector, two terms as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Society, and one term as Dean of the Faculty of Communication. Having worked on Social Sciences for Health, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, Research Ethics, and Quality in Higher Education, B. Akşit served as TÜBİTAK President's Advisor from 2002-4, managing sub-programs including "Citizenship and Governance in Knowledge-Based Society," "Coordination Activities," and "Science and Society" in the European Union Sixth Framework Programme. From 2001-5, she worked as the Executive Steering Committee Chair of the Population and Development Strategies Sub-Program at TÜBA. She has conducted numerous research projects supported by WHO, UNICEF, and UN organizations, with many international and national publications in health and social sciences.
Deniz ERBEN
A Turkish sociologist and academic born on February 20, 1973. After graduating from METU Sociology Department, she completed her master's at Marmara University Communication Sciences and taught French Political Science and Public Administration at Marmara University for 17 years. Besides serving as Erasmus Coordinator, she worked as Coordinator, Editor, and Translator at the internet-based art magazine Sanatatak from 2012-2017. Erben has translation experience at Sport Publication House and worked as an intern and translator at UNHCR. She also worked as a field researcher for the Foundation for the Support of Women's Work (KEDV). Deniz Erben has experience in project organization, emergency management, education, youth, local governments, urban transformation, art education, data collection and processing, and institutional archive preparation. She has long-standing professional and volunteer involvement in human rights, women's rights, children's rights, urban rights, environmental rights, and civil society. She has also been a freelance translator in social sciences, popular culture, sports, culture, and arts for over 20 years.

Batuhan KALAYCIOĞLU
Graduated with high honors from both Maltepe University English Psychology Department and English Sociology Department in 2020. Currently a social psychology master's thesis student at Istanbul University. He has been working as a research assistant at Maltepe University Psychology Laboratory since 2019.
Zahide ÖZDEMİR
Master's student in Political Science and Public Administration at Kadir Has University. Completed undergraduate studies with double major in Sociology and Psychology at Istanbul Maltepe University. Conducted field research on "Refugee Art Collectives and Initiatives in Istanbul" for her undergraduate thesis, examining relationships between NGOs and local collectives/organizations and survival strategies. Worked as project assistant in TÜBİTAK-supported project "Earthquake and Women in Istanbul: Assessment, Analysis and Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Sensitivity-Aware Preparation Planning in Istanbul." Currently working on her master's thesis under Dr. Sibel Karadağ's supervision, focusing on political space for non-citizens in Istanbul and their mutual relations with local organizations. Research interests include critical migration studies, political sociology, social movement theories, and critical humanitarian aid.
Ali Haydar DUDAKLI
After graduating from Bursa Uludağ University Philosophy Department, completed his master's thesis at Bahçeşehir University Social Sciences Institute Philosophy Department on technology and human freedom problem. Has held various positions at Maltepe University since 2020. Currently serves as coordinator at Scientific Research Projects Office, rapporteur at Maltepe University Non-Interventional Scientific Research Ethics Committee, and process management specialist at Quality Management Coordination. At Maltepe University Scientific Research Projects (MÜAR) unit, gained expertise in project management, particularly through active involvement in project organization, data analysis, patent, and utility model studies. His command of relevant legislation and regulations adds value to his work. Also continues as a volunteer researcher at SOYAÇ. Recently served as researcher in the MÜAR-supported project "Earthquake and Gender-Based Vulnerability: Women's Layered Earthquake Experiences, Hatay, 2023," developing field experience.