PhD in Political Science, 2016
University of Tuebingen (Germany)
M.A. in Middle East Studies & Political Science, 2009
University of Hamburg (Germany)
Adjunct Research Fellow, University of Canterbury (New Zealand), 2019- present
Teaching Fellow, University of Otago (New Zealand), 2022
Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Middle East Technical University (METU; Turkey), 2016-2019
Research Fellow, University of Tuebingen (Germany), 2010-2015
Visiting Fellow, University of Guelph (Canada), 2012-2013
Guest Lecturer, Cairo University & American University in Cairo (Egypt), 2011/12
Research Assistant, University of Hamburg (Germany), 2007-2009
Visiting Research Fellow, German Institute of Global & Area Studies (GIGA; Germany), 2005
Since 2022: various Senior Advisor and Manager roles (Research & Development, Specialist Data Capabilty, 2023 Census Products & Services), Stats NZ
Co-Founder, Christchurch Flamenco Dance Collective, since 2024
Co-Founder, Middle East & Islamic Studies Aotearoa (MEISA), since 2021
Consultant, Arab Youth Survey (country analysis Jordan); Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation (FES), Near & Middle East Department, 2017
Advisor, Civil Society Program Palestinian Territories; German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ), 2013-2014
Consultant (Country Profiles); Munzinger Archiv, Ravensburg Publishers, 2010-2022
Consultant, Working Group Freedom of Association (annual report); Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), 2010
Research Assistant, Lebanon Civil Society Program; the Aspen Institute Berlin, 2009
Intern; Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation (FES), Jerusalem, Palestinian Territories/Israel, 2007
New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Minor Grant (together with L. Goldsmith, A. Arkilic and H. Booysen), 2021
U.S. Embassy Ankara, Public Affairs Grant Program; Project Grant (together with M. Altunisik and D. Gocer Akder), 2019
Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation (FES), PhD Scholarship, 2011-2013
University of Tuebingen, Gender Equality Commission; Travel & Research Grant, 2012/13/14
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German-Arab Higher Education Dialogue; Field Research Grant, 2011
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); Travel Grant, 2010
Value for Investment (Julian King & Associates)
Developmental Evaluation (Clear Horizon Academy)
Measurement, Evaluation & Learning (Clear Horizon Academy)
Social Network Analysis (Prof. Steven Borgatti)
Qualitative Content Analysis (Prof. Dr. Udo Kuckartz)
Content & Discourse Analysis (JMCE Winter Methods School, Free University of Berlin)
The Art of Confidentiality (Stats NZ)
WAIO.1x: Introduction to Web Accessibility (W3C)
Conflict Management (Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation)
Leaders of Experts (Expertunity)
Te Kaihautū New People Leader Development Programme (Ara Kaiarahitanga, Leadership Development Centre)
Te Amokapua Māori-Crown capability program (Stats NZ)
Research Supervision:
- Middle East Seminar (Master Thesis Seminar), Middle East Technical University (Turkey) 2017-2019
- Zeynep Setenay Uslu Madenoglu (Master Thesis), Middle East Technical University (Turkey), 2019
External Reviewer – Research Thesis:
- PhD in Politics, University of Otago, 2022/23
- Master of Politics (dissertation), University of Otago, 2022
- Master in International Studies (dissertation), University of Otago, 2022
Journal Refereeing: African Identities, Democratization, Geoforum, Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Mediterranean Politics, Political Studies Review
Memberships: Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association, International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation, New Zealand Political Studies Association
English (fluent)
German (native)
French (very good)
Arabic (good)
Turkish (intermediate)
Māori (beginner)