Meet the visionary mind and trailblazer in the field of sociology, Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata. As a distinguished Professor in Sociology at Bahçeşehir University, she has carved a niche for herself as a leading figure in the realm of migration and urban studies. She has established a distinctive place in academia, serving as both an established interpreter and a mobile critic.
Dr. Sunata is not just an academic; she is a catalyst for change and understanding in the complex dynamics of migration and living together. In 2014, she foresaw the growing significance of migration and its intersection with urban life, prompting her to establish the Center of Migration and Urban Studies (BAUMUS) at Bahçeşehir University. This center stands as a testament to her commitment to fostering interdisciplinarity and collaborative research.
Dr. Sunata's academic journey is as remarkable as her contributions. After completing her undergraduate degree in Statistics and master's degree in Sociology at Middle East Technical University, Ankara, she pursued her doctoral studies in Sociology at Osnabrück University, Germany. Her time at the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) in Germany, supported by scholarships from DAAD and the Hans-Böckler Foundation, laid the foundation for her expertise in migration studies.
Her research portfolio is diverse and impactful, spanning labor migration, brain drain, diaspora studies, and the multifaceted challenges faced by refugees. Notably, she explores the intersectionality of migration, urban issues, and diaspora dynamics with a focus on education, labor markets, and civil society, employing class, gender, and right lenses.
Also, immediately after the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023, she spearheaded a pioneering academic initiative focusing on a more comprehensive and critical understanding of the earthquake as disaster with its societal background and impacts from the sociological point of view. Recognizing the inadequacy of a university course alone, the professor emphasized the urgency of a (trans-)national-scale organization to address this pressing need, calling for an Open Course on Earthquake Sociology in a colloquium format that garnered overwhelming interest from academics and students, receiving over 700 applications from both Turkey and abroad.
In the ever-evolving landscape of migration sociology, Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata stands as a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and social change. Her work not only shapes academic discourse but also contributes significantly to creating a more aware and inclusive society.