Hello! I am H. Melisa Acar, a PhD student in Political Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. I am also a recognized student at the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oxford. Previously, I was a Visiting Student Research Collaborator (VSRC) at the Department of Politics at Princeton University (2024).

Academically, I specialize in themes within Political and Legal Philosophy, including freedom, happiness, human rights, human dignity, and autonomy in relation to history and society. In addition, I pursue individual research in game theory, the ethics of a healthy self, success, and power.

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

My academic journey:

I was raised in Izmir, where I completed all my formal education. I graduated with honors from what was formerly known as Necip Demir Anatolian Communication High School, an institution offering a curriculum specialized in communications. During these years, I gained my first professional social experiences by working at Turk Telekom, Karsiyaka – Izmir, as a communication student.

I completed my undergraduate studies as the top-ranking student at the Faculty of Theology, Katip Celebi University (GPA: 3.96/4.00) in 2020. During this time, I developed a deep interest in the metaphysics and the philosophy of human rights. This led me to conduct active social research in various countries: International University of Africa (2018), University of Khartoum (2018), and the University of Jordan (2019).

For my master’s studies, I completed an MSc in Political Philosophy at the University of Glasgow (2022), where my thesis focused on the relationship between freedom, liberalism, autonomy, and poverty. In the same year, I also completed another MA in the Philosophy of History at Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul. There, I worked on determinism, freedom, autonomy, and the predictability of the future in historical thought.

In 2024, I published my first book, titled “The Route of Freedom: Stories of Independent Spirits.” in Turkish language. The book presents a unique literary methodology that analytically explores the connection between autonomy, freedom, and personal and ethical responsibility. The resonance it generated on platforms such as 1000Kitap greatly encouraged me to continue my research and writing.

I have a multidisciplinary, curious, and outgoing personality. I believe that life itself is the most precious opportunity — and that it must be lived with maximum freedom, consciousness, and progress. I strive to reflect this philosophy in every corner of my personal life.

My interviews:

At Oxford, on Philosophical Education and Development (ENG): Academia, Public Thought and The Future of Philosophy – Türkiye Today

At Princeton, on the Route to Freedom and My Reflections (TR): Preparation Process For The Book and My Personal Side