About Me
I am a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford Graduate School of Business, working with Professor Brian Lowery. My research explores how broader societal, historical, and institutional forces shape people's sense of self—and how these understandings, in turn, influence their behavior.
I received my PhD in Psychology (Personality, Development, and Health) from Northwestern University, where I worked closely with the Study of Lives Research Group (PI: Professor Dan McAdams) and the Life Span Development Lab (PI: Professor Claudia Haase). Before Northwestern, I completed my BA in Psychology at Bilkent University in Turkey, graduating as valedictorian.
Research Identity
How do we become who we are?
Istanbul · Photo: Mustafa Memish / Pexels
Our sense of self takes shape through lived experiences embedded in social and historical contexts.
I am especially interested in uncertainty and instability at the societal and institutional levels. How do political upheaval, economic crises, and institutional instability shape the ways we remember our pasts, imagine our futures, and relate to others? And how do individuals, through their actions and interactions, collectively reshape the organizations and societies they inhabit?
One way I explore these questions is through narrative identity: the stories we construct to make sense of our lives. Yet these stories are never entirely ours to write. Our autobiographical memories, personal narratives, and evolving sense of self are shaped by collective memories, historical circumstances, and the social institutions around us. They are, in a way, the co-authors of our life stories and of how we become who we are.
Storytelling, Media & Communication
Understanding storytelling and lived experience can help us understand audiences and shape messages in media and business.
Narratives are all around us. Beyond academia, I am passionate about storytelling in its many forms—writing, media, creative projects, and public engagement. I enjoy translating complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives, as well as analyzing how stories resonate with different audiences and shape communication strategies. At the heart of this work is listening to and understanding people through their stories—a perspective I bring to research and to work in communication, media, and business.
Let's Connect
Interested in research, writing, or collaboration? I'd love to connect.
Growing up in Turkey, I was always curious about cultural exchange and the many ways people experience and understand the world. I enjoy exploring new places, creative projects, and reflexive conversations. Music, writing, and walking are everyday practices that keep me grounded. I deeply value connection and try to bring a human-centered perspective to both my work and life.
Get In Touch