TUĞBA ÖZCAN
TURKEY
Summary
Sociologist and Social Impact Specialist with a Ph.D. in Sociology and experience in social sustainability, environmental and social impact assessment, stakeholder engagement, human rights, labour, gender equality and vulnerable groups. Currently I am preparing and developing ESIA, ESDD, ESMP, SEP, LMP, HRIA, resettlement and livelihood restoration studies for national and international projects in line with IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles and World Bank EHS Guidelines.
I am experienced in qualitative and quantitative research, village- urban level fieldwork, focus group discussions, stakeholder interviews, social baseline assessments, technical reporting and policy-oriented analysis. My expertise combines consultancy experience with university-level teaching at Middle East Technical University and international academic conference participation.
I have strong communication, analytical, writing and project coordination skills, with proficiency in MAXQDA, SPSS and Nvivo.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunt Instructor
ODTÜ / METU
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE
01.2026 - Current
- Teach graduate-level courses on gender, society, inequality, methodology and qualitative social research.
- Design course content, reading materials, assignments and discussion sessions on gender equality, social justice and contemporary social issues.
- Facilitate seminar discussions and provide academic guidance on research design, qualitative analysis, literature review and academic writing.
- Support students’ analytical, writing and presentation skills through feedback, discussion-based teaching and research-oriented assignments.
- Translate complex social and policy-related debates into accessible learning materials, contributing to knowledge-sharing and capacity-building in gender and social research.
Social Impact Specialist
2U1K Engineering and Consultancy Inc.
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE
10.2025 - Current
- Prepare and develop Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), Labour Management Plans (LMP), Human Rights Management Plans (HRMP), Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA), Resettlement Plans and Livelihood Restoration-related studies for national and international projects.
- Conduct social baseline research and village-level field studies to assess project-affected communities, local livelihoods, land use, vulnerable groups, gender dynamics, access to services, community concerns and stakeholder expectations.
- Carry out resettlement and livelihood restoration studies through field-based data collection, household/community-level interviews, village surveys, focus group discussions, stakeholder mapping and analysis of potential impacts on land-based livelihoods.
- Prepare social impact, stakeholder engagement, labour, human rights, resettlement and livelihood restoration-related sections of technical reports, management plans, monitoring tables and action plans for clients, lenders and project partners.
- Conduct social impact assessments in line with international sustainability standards and frameworks, including IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles, World Bank EHS Guidelines and relevant national legislation.
- Assess social sustainability risks and impacts related to labour and working conditions, community health and safety, land acquisition, economic displacement, livelihoods, vulnerable groups, gender equality, human rights, stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms.
- Design and implement stakeholder engagement activities, including interviews, focus group discussions, community consultations and meetings with local authorities, project-affected communities, workers and other relevant stakeholders.
- Analyse qualitative field data, village survey findings and stakeholder feedback to identify key social risks, community concerns, rights-holder perspectives and opportunities for improved project implementation.
- Develop mitigation measures, monitoring indicators and management commitments to ensure alignment with social sustainability objectives, rights-based approaches and international good practice.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental, biodiversity, occupational health and safety and engineering specialists, to ensure integrated and consistent project deliverables.
- Prepare client-facing documents, data request lists, adequacy reviews, meeting notes and presentation materials related to social performance, stakeholder engagement, resettlement and sustainability management.
- Apply academic expertise in sociology, gender, health, inequality and qualitative research to strengthen the analysis of social vulnerability, gendered impacts, access to rights and stakeholder dynamics.
Social Expert
CORE Research Institute
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE
03.2025 - 10.2025
- Conducted data generation and analysis, expert interviews and stakeholder engagement activities.
Prepaired of research reports, communication materials, and outreach activities.
Contributed to the design of multi-thematic research projects, including democracy, youth, gender, and disaster response, generating evidence-based insights for advocacy and policy.
Collaborated with a diverse network of researchers, practitioners, and international partners, fostering innovation in methodology, participatory approaches, and impact-oriented research.
Experienced in working with foundations, international organisations, and civil society actors within collaborative, cross-sectoral frameworks.
Selected projects:
-UNFPA - Evaluation of Child Marriage Prevention Programme (2025): Social Impact Research
-Sabancı Foundation – 20 Years of Gender Equality Impact (2024–2025): Impact evaluation of Sabancı Foundation’s grantmaking programme / interviews with opinion leaders, surveys, visibility analysis, and case studies, reporting. Produced strategic outputs
- Conducted qualitative fieldwork and social impact assessment research with EVKAD (Ev Hanımları Dayanışma ve Kalkındırma Derneği), a women-led civil society organization based in Adana supporting housewives’ economic and social empowerment. The research focused on examining the socio-economic and psychosocial impacts of community-based women’s solidarity initiatives.
Sociologist / Researcher
SELF-EMPLOYED
10.2022 - 12.2024
- Designed and managed custom qualitative and quantitative research projects for a client portfolio that includes public agencies, non-profits, and political campaigns, with an emphasis on public policy and social marketing.
- Established project timelines and budgets, managed contracts and billing processes, and supervised internal and external workflows.
- Delivered precise language translations for Turkish and English content.
- Conducted in-depth research utilising various techniques, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Teaching and Administrative Assistant
Middle East Technical University
09.2014 - 09.2022
- Supported administrative processes by providing daily support, including organising events, and preparing inputs for administrative documents.
- Supported academic activities and research processes in line with the department's goals.
- Designed and implemented an effective task allocation system for eight assistants, resulting in better coordination, and productivity within the team.
- Organised and supported teaching, assessment, and activities.
- Maintained communication with 250 students by drafting and disseminating correspondence.
- Delivered administrative support for departmental activities, including exam organisation, curriculum coordination, and preparation of briefing materials.
- Managed digital learning materials and kept archives of course materials, including student records.
- Screened and monitored applications to graduate programmes, and shortlisted candidates.
- Worked in TUBİTAK and GAP projects as a project assistant, gaining comprehensive experience in project management, budget management.
- Provided teaching assistance to undergraduate and graduate courses.
- Served as a Teaching Assistant for the following courses: Rural Sociology (Spring 2016–Fall 2021), Methodology of Social Sciences (Fall 2017–Fall 2021), Contemporary Feminist Theory (Fall 2016), Culture, Identity, and Postcolonial Theory (Fall 2014–Fall 2018), and History of Sociology I and II (Spring 2016).
Teaching and Administrative Assistant
Batman University
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Coordinated curriculum effectively, ensuring smooth execution of exams.
- Assisted in creating briefing materials for the newly established department.
- Developed strong individual connections with students during office hours, providing guidance and support.
- Translated key documents from English to Turkish to enhance course delivery.
- Facilitated department operations by translating administrative documents from Turkish to English.
- Led educational sessions in Introduction to Sociology and Sociological Theories.
Research Assistant & Field Coordinator
Bilkent University
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE
09.2012 - 12.2013
- Coordinated fieldwork and methodology for TÜBİTAK 1001 Project: Urban Transformation and Displacement Experiences in NAEUTP.
- Facilitated periodic planning and reporting processes.
- Conducted focus group discussions and qualitative interviews with local households to gather extensive data on displacement experiences.
- Applied NVivo 8 QDA software to systematically interpret and arrange data.
- Drafted weekly fieldwork summaries to document progress.
- Engaged with research participants to establish rapport and ensure high-quality data collection.
- Performed extensive literature reviews to bolster research projects.
Social Impact Specialist
Beyond Borders
02.2012 - 11.2013
- Facilitated organization and management of Beyond Borders: Linking Our Stories Project to enhance cultural solidarity through women's storytelling and performance art.
- Led qualitative interviews with women, focusing on sexuality, cultural experiences, and identity.
- Conducted oral history workshops to collect narratives.
- Contributed to the adaptation of collected stories into a joint production at Madrasa Theatre in İzmir.
Field Researcher
GAP Project: Privatization of Coal, Its Impact
Kütahya, TURKEY
05.2011 - 08.2011
- Conducted field research for the GAP Project: Privatisation and Its Impact on Business Processes – Lignite Coal Enterprises, exploring the impacts of privatisation on mining workers and their families.
- Conducted in-depth interviews with mining workers and their wives to understand the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of privatisation.
- Transcribed interviews to assist in project report creation.
- Collaborated with senior researchers to develop research methodologies, maintaining alignment with project goals.
- Built rapport with research participants to enhance the quality of collected data.
Internship Trainer
Dr. Binnaz-Rıdvan Ege Anatolian High School
, TURKEY
02.2010 - 06.2010
- Created English curriculum for 30 students in each seventh and eighth-grade class.
- Engaged in managing classroom dynamics.
- Acquired knowledge of Turkish educational systems.
Trainee Teacher
Prinses Margriet School
Rotterdam , The Netherlands
03.2009 - 06.2010
- Facilitated lead teacher with classroom management duties.
- Adapted instructional techniques to accommodate different cultural learning styles, working with a diverse student population.
- Developed effective teaching strategies by applying knowledge of cultural influences on language learning.
- Collaborated with senior educators to enhance teaching methods and adapt to diverse instructional strategies.
Trainee Teacher
De Blijberg International School
Rotterdam , The Netherlands
03.2009 - 06.2009
- Gained practical knowledge and skills during internship period.
- Enhanced intercultural communication in students aged 8, 12, and 15.
- Developed courses and resources for enhanced additional learning.
- Organized two unique public and private events.
Education
Ph.D. Degree - Sociology
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Ankara01-2024
Master’s Degree - Sociology
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Ankara01-2015
Bachelor’s Degree - Foreign Language Education
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Ankara01-2010
Bachelor of Science - Computer Education and Instructional Technology
Middle East Technical University (METU)
01-2006
High School - Math-Science
Ankara Ataturk Anatolian High School (AAAL - 1. Ranking High School)
01-2004
Skills
- Organisation and planning
- Social impact assessment
- Quantitative research
- Qualitative research
- Academic writing
- Field research
- Team coordination
- Event organization
- Communication
- Presentation
- Monitoring
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- MS Outlook, MS Teams
- Zoom
- MAXQDA, NVivo, SPSS
- Canva, Miro
Accomplishments
Awards: Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK)
- 2211 Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship (Master’s) | 2010–2012
- 2211 Domestic Ph.D Scholarship (PhD) | 2014–2018
Personal Information
Gender: Female
Nationality: Turkish
Driving Licence: B Class (20 years of experience)
Hobbies and interests
- Running, trekking, licensed boulderer, licensed yoga instructor
Organizational Skills
- Organization of International Academic Conference: "Challenging Rural Studies in Turkey: Present State and New Imaginaries" (June 23-24, 2022). The event was organized as part of the 2022 Satellite Events of the European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) in collaboration with the Sociology Department at Middle East Technical University (METU).
Actively participated in all stages of the eight-month planning and implementation process, providing administrative and operational support.
Contributed to the selection of conference topics and discussions.
Collaborated with ESRS on budget planning and financial management to ensure the smooth execution of the event. - Hasan Ünal Nalbantoğlu Symposia: Contributed to the administrative, logistical, and financial processes of high-profile events (2012-2019).
- ODTU Theory Talks (2011-2018), supporting the planning, coordination, and execution of these academic programs.
Timeline
Adjunt Instructor
ODTÜ / METU
01.2026 - Current
Social Impact Specialist
2U1K Engineering and Consultancy Inc.
10.2025 - Current
Social Expert
CORE Research Institute
03.2025 - 10.2025
Sociologist / Researcher
SELF-EMPLOYED
10.2022 - 12.2024
Teaching and Administrative Assistant
Middle East Technical University
09.2014 - 09.2022
Teaching and Administrative Assistant
Batman University
08.2013 - 08.2014
Research Assistant & Field Coordinator
Bilkent University
09.2012 - 12.2013
Social Impact Specialist
Beyond Borders
02.2012 - 11.2013
Field Researcher
GAP Project: Privatization of Coal, Its Impact
05.2011 - 08.2011
Internship Trainer
Dr. Binnaz-Rıdvan Ege Anatolian High School
02.2010 - 06.2010
Trainee Teacher
Prinses Margriet School
03.2009 - 06.2010
Trainee Teacher
De Blijberg International School
03.2009 - 06.2009
Ph.D. Degree - Sociology
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Master’s Degree - Sociology
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Bachelor’s Degree - Foreign Language Education
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Bachelor of Science - Computer Education and Instructional Technology
Middle East Technical University (METU)
High School - Math-Science
Ankara Ataturk Anatolian High School (AAAL - 1. Ranking High School)