I live a rather colorful and experience-rich life—filled with curiosity, exploration, experimentation, learning, and growth. I believe deeply in the value that every person should shape themselves freely, and I see life as a journey of authenticity.

Being born in the very land where philosophy itself was born, I also come from a remarkably “colorful” lineage: Western Anatolia, Izmir, Afyonkarahisar, Greece, Crete/Chania, Istanbul, Tekirdag, Bulgaria, and Tarnovo… In short, my ancestors were what you might call multicultural Turkish migrants.

As a result of this multicultural heritage, I was raised in a family where I was simply “a self contained, free-spirited girl who could shape her own path.” And I’ve experienced the richness of that freedom at various stages of my life. I was born in Izmir and spent most of my early years in Karsiyaka, a district that still feels like home. My journey eventually led me to the United Kingdom for my education.

This page is a small memory corner, a selection of a few frames from the wide photo album of my life:

My dear mother and father, pictured here during their engagement ceremony in Izmir in the 1980s… They first laid eyes on each other on the streets of Alsancak, fell in love, and chose each other for life:

I was born in Izmir  – the most beautiful city in the country (yes, that’s a “slightly” biased statement) — and here a three years old me (a little bit “serious” )

From my primary school in Izmir in early 2000s, here is a photo. At the time, I was learning how to read and write:

Middle school years… I could say it was the age when I had “started reading newspapers.”

Ten years challenge

High school years… I was enrolled in a curriculum designed for communication studies at the secondary school level. During these years, I began to discover both my diligence and my outgoing nature.

With each passing year in high school, I grew more curious and adventurous. I mostly read modern history books and historical fantasy novels, created my own little moments of joy, and often played volleyball and football at school. I was also a strong runner—and, admittedly, a bit of a “rebellious” girl too.

We’re growing up a little more… This was a brief period of deep questioning about life. My shelves were filled with sources of meaning such as Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, Paulo Coelho’s writings on transcendent souls, Yunus Emre’s teachings on humanity, and Tolstoy’s later works.

These experiences planted the initial seeds for my transition into the fields of philosophy and theology. With my family’s support—’you are free to choose the research area you truly desire’—I made the decision to pursue my current course of study:

This brief period of curiosity, which lasted for approximately one to two years, was gradually replaced by a firm grounding in rational reasoning, critical inquiry, and analytical methodology.

I undertook courses such as ‘History of Philosophy,’ ‘Ethics,’ ‘Logic,’ and ‘History of Religions’—each characterized by substantial depth. For instance, reading articles on “the relationship between Law and Ethics” and “Asian belief systems,” marked critical moments of insight for me.

At that age, I would often retreat to my room for long hours and study with discipline. I would like to share some memories from those intense midterm and final weeks: 

By the second year of my undergraduate studies, I had become deeply engaged in contemplating about freedom, social inequalities, particularly the conditions of women and children across different regions. 

During these years, I had the opportunity to travel to various countries to enrich my perspective. I have joined the environments of institutions such as the International University of Africa and the University of Jordan.

The pandemic disrupted my undergraduate study, forcing me to adapt and continue my education and academic engagements online. Nevertheless, after this process, I did my best to sustain my collaborations in social responsibility projects:

During my master’s studies, I entered a new academic phase where the practical concerns I had already become aware of during my undergraduate years began to fit into a theoretical framework—like pieces of “a puzzle” coming together.

Here, I began to examine political philosophy, freedom, and identity through a more analytical lens. I selected modules that reflected these interests: philosophy of law, gender and race, and other critical themes.

I graduated with a thesis on autonomy-based liberalism. Here are a few memories from the graduation ceremony I attended in the following session:

With the start of my PhD, I was finally able to focus more closely on the specific topics I am currently working on. Throughout this journey, I took joy in being part of student-led initiatives and used the opportunity to explore Northern Britain along the way:

Night dance break in Glasgow…

Republic Day Celebration…

Glasgow University – Philosophy Department summer PhD party! The arrival of summer had even brought the sun to Scotland:

A lovely family holiday in Fethiye, Muğla – an amazing place to unwind

A tour in England National Gallery

A joyful coffee with Professor Miranda Fricker—founder of the concept of epistemic injustice—on a street near Princeton University. In my view, this stands out as the most significant intellectual breakthrough in 21st-century philosophy.

Needless to say, it was incredibly inspiring to sit across from such a remarkable woman philosopher:

During my second year of PhD, I took my research to a new level by examining the philosophical foundations of human rights through the lens of the concept of “freedom from domination.” I had the opportunity to attend lectures in person by Professor Philip Pettit as part of this focus.

This photo is from a memorable farewell reception hosted jointly by the Departments of Philosophy and Political Science at Princeton University:

My friend Tong, while discussing his republican view of freedom in an extremely delicious Italian restaurant in NJ.

Autumn sunshine at Princeton. Just after a Behavioural Psychology class—followed by a quiet library break.

Exploring American islands! With a New York Architecture — The temperature was around -7 degrees:

A memory from Ellis Island: the historic entry point for the first waves of immigrants to the United States. In the background, you can see newspaper samples in various languages—reminders of the many nations and cultures that once passed through here:

The Statue of Liberty (1886)

The journey continues at the University of Oxford. As of 2025, I became a recognized student in the Philosophy Department with my project on a new theory of human rights, with the academic advisory of Professor John Tasioulas:

A valuable meeting with an inspiring woman aero-space professor, Yurdanur Tulunay, in Oxford Union:

Let us turn to be a little bit “personal.” Oxford – Waterstones…

The sunset accompanied by the echo of ABBA – Don’t Shut Me Down

St Catherine’s College, after a class on John Stuart Mill