School / Department: University College Dublin (UCD) / European Economics and Public Policy

Institution and Position: Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Economic and Social Development Section, Policy Expert / Programme Manager

 

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Born in 1981 in Elazığ, I left my hometown in 1999 for university education, marking the beginning of my journey in Ankara. I graduated in 2004 from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at METU and started working as a European Union (EU) Assistant Expert at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. During my time at the Ministry, I worked at Eurofound, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, an EU agency in Ireland, which further deepened my interest in Ireland and influenced my choices for graduate studies. In 2008, as a Jean Monnet Scholar, I completed my master’s degree in Ireland. After returning to Türkiye, I continued my work in the public sector while pursuing academic studies. I shared my knowledge and experience through training and articles on social policy, project design, and implementation. In 2024, I completed my Ph.D. in the field of sociology of work at METU.

After nearly 10 years at the Ministry, I continued my career at international organizations, working at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Labour Organization (ILO) offices in Türkiye. Since 2019, I have been serving as a Policy Expert / Programme Manager in the Economic and Social Development Section of the EU Delegation to Türkiye.

For almost 20 years, I have been working in the field of social policy, in both national and international institutions, striving to improve working and living conditions, promote gender equality in the labour market, and empowering youth.

In addition to my professional life, I have a deep interest in literature and photography. Thanks to the Jean Monnet Scholarship, my passion for Irish literature, nature, and photography continues to evolve. I am also learning Italian and maintain my curiosity about different cultures. As someone who values friendships in Ankara, I continue my journey here, aiming to create meaningful encounters and contribute to both professional and personal spheres. I love nature, particularly birds.

 

How has your career progressed up until now?

What has shaped my career is not career goals, but rather my passion, interest in the field, and my persistence and efforts in “being useful.”

 

After graduating from METU in 2004, I started working as an EU Assistant Expert at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, thus beginning my career in the field of “EU, social development, and project/programme management,” which continues to this day. My time at the Ministry provided invaluable experience, as I gained knowledge and expertise in areas such as international treaties, EU legislation, national regulations, and labour markets, as well as project preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation through Türkiye-EU Financial Cooperation and Pre-accession Financial Assistance. I also learned diplomacy and bureaucracy and built lasting friendships and professional connections.
The experience I gained at Eurofound in Ireland was unique, as it taught me how to work in an international environment and navigate different country and institutional cultures. The knowledge and experience I gained as a Jean Monnet Scholar in Ireland have added a significant vision to my professional life.

After nearly 10 years at the Ministry, I transitioned to international organizations, working as a social policy expert at UNDP and as a national project coordinator at the ILO Türkiye Office. These roles allowed me to specialize in social development, sustainable development goals, and decent work under the United Nations umbrella. Moreover, the experience of working as an implementing institution provided me with a broader perspective on problem areas.

Since 2019, I have been working in the Economic and Social Development Section of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, focusing on employment, social policy, and development sectors, where I am involved in projects and programs related to policy processes and financial cooperation.

 

Could you provide some details about the university and the subject you studied through Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme?

As a Jean Monnet scholar, I pursued a Master’s degree in European Economics and Public Policy at University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland. This interdisciplinary program offered courses in various fields such as EU social policy, economics, governance, and EU law. I also had the opportunity to attend classes at universities and research centres in Florence and Leuven for two weeks each and visit EU institutions in Brussels. These experiences allowed me to meet distinguished academics and gain valuable insights into the field.
In my master’s thesis, I explored the “Flexicurity” approach, one of the cornerstones of EU social policy, and researched its implementation in different welfare systems. In a time when flexibility in labour markets is a highly relevant topic and our lives are increasingly fragile, I chose this topic because I believe it is important to balance flexibility with security. The knowledge and insights I gained from this research have provided valuable foresight in my subsequent work in Türkiye.

 

How has the education you completed through Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme influenced your perspective on the European Union?

Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme, through the experience of living abroad, combined with academic and theoretical knowledge, transformed not only my professional life but also other aspects of my life. My education and one-year stay in Ireland had a significant impact on my perspective regarding EU social policy legislation and practices.
Throughout my master’s program, I gained new academic knowledge and ideas related to EU social policy. In addition to theoretical courses, visits to institutions and centres in Belgium and Italy demonstrated how policies and processes function in practice and the areas in which challenges persist. I further experienced the importance of the EU’s commitment to social rights, the policies, and legislation developed in this area, and I explored how these policies are reflected in Türkiye. The legal courses I took were especially enlightening in understanding how EU social policy and labour laws affect national-level practices, particularly in areas such as combating discrimination, gender equality, social dialogue, and labour rights.

During my time in Europe, I was able to travel extensively and witness the beauty of diversity within the EU. Interacting with people from various countries who came to Ireland for education or work allowed me to observe firsthand how the EU’s concept has expanded the world both culturally and intellectually. The value of partnerships and cooperation between people, institutions, and countries became even clearer to me.

 

What advice would you give to prospective Jean Monnet scholars?

When choosing your program, university, and the country you will study in, know what you want – or at least what you don’t want.
Research the country you will be going to before you leave; read, watch, and reflect.
Choose programs and courses that will enrich you not only professionally but also intellectually.
When selecting your thesis topic, seek advice from as many academics as possible.
Share and disseminate the knowledge and experiences you gain through articles and papers in addition to your thesis.
While working on your courses and thesis, explore the culture of the country and city you are in – learn its history, food culture, habits, read works by local authors, and listen to their music.
Sleep on trains, travel as much as possible.
Make new friends and build relationships.
Discover the nature around you.
Remember, this experience is unique.