Hello! I am Hatice Melisa Acar, a PhD student in Political Philosophy at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom. I am also a recognized student in the Philosophy department at the University of Oxford. Previously, I was a Research Collaborator Student (VSRC) at the School of Political Science at Princeton University in the United States (2024).

Academically, I specialize in Political and Legal Philosophy. Within this scope, I focus on concepts such as freedom, happiness, human dignity, autonomy in the face of history & society, game theory, and rational decision-making. On a personal level, I create content on topics such as healthy selfhood, language, academic development, and the ethics of power.

Institutionally, I am the founder of Gunes Fikir Akademi (Sun Thought Academy), the co-founder and strategy director of Republica Journal, an academic member of The Oxford Union, and the director of the Glasgow Turkish Society.

My Academic Journey:

I was born in İzmir, Turkey, where I completed my primary and secondary education. I graduated from Necip Demir Anatolian High School in Karşıyaka, Izmir, achieving a national ranking in the entrance exams.

I started my undergraduate studies at METU (Ankara). There, I successfully completed my language education and took two semesters of history methodology courses, earning the title of high honor student. My undergraduate education continued at Katip Celebi University, where I transitioned due to my curiosity about Theology and graduated as the faculty valedictorian with a GPA of 3.96/4.00 (2020). During my undergraduate years, I intellectually focused on Political Theology, the Metaphysics of Human Rights, and Moral Philosophy.

During my undergraduate years, I spent my summer breaks conducting research in different countries. I worked in the libraries of institutions such as International University of Africa (2018), University of Khartoum (2018), and University of Jordan (2019), while also engaging in cultural and voluntary activities for the benefit of human rights in collaboration with local students.

In 2022, I obtained my Master of Science degree in Political Philosophy from the University of Glasgow. In my thesis, I explored the meaning of being an autonomous individual, examined the differences between various liberalism factions based on this foundation, and analyzed its relationship with poverty:

Thesis Title: “Autonomy-Based Liberalism and Food Insecurity”

In 2023, I earned my Master of Arts degree in the field of Philosophy of History at Ibn Haldun University (Istanbul). In this thesis, I examined whether the future can be predicted, historical sketch perspectives, and the relationship between free will and these concepts:

Thesis Title: “The Problem of Determinism in History within the Context of Karl Popper’s Philosophy”

In 2024, I fulfilled another dream of mine by writing my first book, “The Route of Freedom: The Story of Independent Spirits” (in Turkish language) This book employs a unique literary method that analytically relates autonomy, freedom, struggle, and ethical responsibilities. The impact it created in a short time on platforms like 1000Kitap has significantly motivated me to continue my research.

In addition to my native Turkish, I am fluent in English and Arabic at an advanced level. I also continue my development in Hebrew and French whenever possible. I would describe myself as a multidisciplinary, curious, enthusiastic, and extroverted individual. I strive to integrate the awareness that life itself is the greatest opportunity into every aspect of my personal life.

My Interview on Philosophical Education and Development (ENG): Academia, Public Thought and the Future of Philosophy – Türkiye Today