Academic Journey
I am a social and personality psychologist, a certified psychodramatist in Europe and the US. After completing my postdoc at University of Rochester, Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, Self-Determination Theory Lab, and then working towards my licensure in psychology while working at Strong Hospital psychiatric emergency program as a community mental health crisis specialist, I started my academic journey at St. John Fisher University in Fall 2021 as an assistant professor.
About Me.
In the psychology department of St John Fisher University, I teach classes in the intersection of trauma, psychopathology, motivation, law and policy-making, and social psychology for ill-being and well-being outcomes in real life. Along with that, I teach MBA students about organizational behavior and human resources management in business school. I am also a steering committee member of the Family Business Program as well as a group facilitator for the Next Gens Program.
Serving on many committees in Fisher to elevate campus-level wellbeing experiences such as student mental health or employee wellness, I also actively contribute to the broader community.
In ASGPP (American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama), I have been serving on the Evidence-Based Psychodrama Research Committee since 2021. Starting in 2022, I am a board member of the Diversity - Equity - Inclusion Funds Advisory Board and Community Outreach Committee to scale up the presence of group psychotherapies for the public goodness. Since 2023, I started to co-chair the Organizational Consulting SIG at AGPA (American Group Psychotherapy Association).
Education
2018-2019
Postdoctoral Research
University of Rochester
New York / USA
Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology Center for Self-Determination Theory
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Counseled start-ups and NGOs for market research, user experience, business development, target content needs, and strategy building for well-being-based practices.
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Conducted focus group discussions and individual interviews for research and theory-driven interventions of mindfulness, self-compassion, and solitude experiences with a specific focus on human autonomy.
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Collaborated with cross-cultural groups to analyze effective human functioning, well-being, and basic need satisfaction through qualitative and quantitative methods (Korea, Iran, Australia, Turkiye, USA, India)
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Developed scales and assessment tools for research and business purposes. Conducted adaptation studies for cross-cultural validity and reliability.
2005-2018
PhD
Middle East Technical University/ Ankara / Turkiye
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Ph.D. in Social Psychology, with a High Honor degree, also completed the course requirements of Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 2013-2018
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Visiting PhD student at University of Rochester | New York | USA| 2016-2017
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MS in Social Psychology, with High Honor degree and “Thesis of the Year” Award | 2010-2013
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BS in Psychology, with Honor degree | 2005-2010
Other Scholarships
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida Office of Corporate Training | 2021
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Certified Practitioner and Trainer of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy in the USA (2021) and across Europe (2018).
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Erasmus Student at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen | Netherlands | 2008-2009
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2021: American Group Psychotherapy Association - Group Foundation Advancing Mental Health Scholarship
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2020: American Group Psychotherapy Association - Group Foundation Endowed Chuck Dachis Merit Scholarship
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2016-2017 The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye - International Ph.D. Research Scholarship in the Field of Psychology.
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2009: Arts and Culture Scholarship for international students in foreign language Instituto Italiano di Cultura, Italian Embassy of Turkiye.
My methods to teach within and beyond academia
My teaching approach, inspired by my personal blend of Self-Determination Theory, psychodrama, and group therapy principles, has been unique and innovative, aiming to engage students by bridging theoretical knowledge with real-life applications. This approach, though initially challenging for some students and trainees accustomed to a more structured environment, was well-received by many, fostering authentic self-expression and self-understanding among all.
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My teaching methods, characterized by active student/trainee involvement, play-based activities, community engagement, diverse teaching experiences, and adaptability, share common ground with the principles of reverse pedagogy; since both emphasize the importance of learner autonomy, self-directed learning, and integration of education and training materials into real-world contexts.
Curious of how?
Please take a moment to read the testimonials section!