Personal statement

With a passion for excellence and a collaborative mindset, Meryem brings a wealth of experience, expertise and a global perspective to research, teaching and learning in the fields of business management, entrepreneurship, marketing, creative enterprise, managing people and international higher education.

Holding a PhD in Business Management with a focus on Consumer Behaviour, Meryem is an accomplished Senior Lecturer in Business and Management.

Meryem has over 10 years’ experience in Higher Education teaching and leadership globally. Her current responsibilities are module leadership, research supervision and curriculum development.

She is leading postgraduate and undergraduate modules, mentoring students, and fostering impactful research collaborations between higher education and industry.

Beyond the classroom, Meryem actively engages in community outreach projects, collaborating with various stakeholders to drive positive change.

Meryem's entrepreneurial spirit and project management expertise shine through her roles as a community engagement specialist and project coordinator, where she led interdisciplinary projects with tangible societal impact.

With international engagement in transnational education, particularly in Sri Lanka, Meryem possesses valuable insights into diverse educational contexts and global partnerships.

As Head of Internationalisation at Istanbul Gelisim University, her spearheaded initiatives to enhance international accreditation, contributing to the institution's growth and global recognition.

Committed to continuous professional development, Meryem is actively involved in academic memberships, awards, and conferences worldwide. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that nurtures creativity, innovation, and sustainability.

Meryem's professional journey extends beyond academia, as she has played pivotal roles in various administrative capacities. Notably, from 2015 to 2017, she served as an External Relations and Partnerships Director, Higher Education Quality and Accreditation Committee Leader where she demonstrated her organizational and leadership skills.

During this period, she concurrently held the positions of Vice-Principal at the School of Foreign Languages, Director of the Bologna Committee, showcasing her ability to excel in diverse roles and responsibilities.

Prior to her current position, Meryem contributed to the academic community by teaching various Business Modules for both undergraduate and postgraduate students at Istanbul Gelisim University and Cardiff Metropolitan University. She actively engaged in strategic management and transnational education, fostering collaborations with international partners.

Her dedication to quality education is reflected in her roles as a PhD external examiner and commitment to continuous learning, evident in her recent completion of the Coaching and Mentoring Course at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Through her multifaceted background, including project coordination, industry experience, and leadership roles, she is well-equipped to contribute to the dynamic and innovative environment of Bath Spa University, bringing a global perspective to research, teaching, and student development.

Academic qualifications

  • 2nd PhD in Augmented Reality, Sustainability and Consumer Behaviour, Bath Spa University (ongoing)
  • Postgraduate Certificate Teaching as Academic Practice, Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • PhD in Business Management (Consumer Behaviour), Istanbul Gelisim University
  • MSc in International Management, University of the West of England, Bristol
  • TESOL Certificate of Teaching English as a Second Language, Arizona State University
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as Academic Practice, Kocaeli University, Izmit, Turkey
  • Associate Degree in Foreign Trade, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey
  • BSc in English Language and Literature, Kocaeli University, Izmit, Turkey

Professional qualifications, training and awards

  • SLTA (Student Led Teaching Awards) Nomination for 2021-2022 by Cardiff Metropolitan University School of Management Students
  • 4th Best Creative Enterprise Award, Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) Certificates and Trainings
  • Everything you want to know about REF and Impact Training by Cardiff Metropolitan University (Feb, 2023)
  • Demystifying the budget part of a funding application Masterclass (Feb, 2023)
  • Women In Leadership: Inspiring Positive Change Course (April, 2023)
  • Coaching and Mentoring Course, Cardiff Metropolitan University- School of Management (June-July 2022)  
  • Entrepreneurship Training, Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD)  (30 hours) 2016
  • Team Leadership NVQ Level 2, City of Bristol College

Professional memberships

  • CBME (Chartered Business Management Educator)
  • CMI (Chartered Management Institute) Member
  • British Academy of Management Member
  • QAA (Quality Assurance Agency Membership)
  • ISBE (Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) 
  • Higher Education Quality Assurance Membership

Other external roles

  • Turkish Higher Education Quality Council External Evaluator (THEQC) 
  • Made in Wales: Researcher Career Stories Event by Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Advisory Board Member
    •    Izlek Academic Journal
    •    Metropolitan Business Review / Metropolitan University Karachi
    •    Karachi University Business Research Journal
  • Reviewer
    •    Journal of Value Studies Reviewer
    •    Journal of Management Development
    •    Istanbul Gelisim University International Social Sciences Journal
    •    Journal of Governance and Regulation 
  • External Examiner
    •    Shah Abdul Latif University Khaipur Sindh, Pakistan
    •    External Examiner:  University of Management and Technology, Lahore   

Teaching specialism and areas of interest

Meryem is a passionate senior lecturer in Business and Management. She is a module leader for a number of modules on the MA Business and Management course, including:

  • Creative Enterprise: A New Business Venture
  • Managing People
  • Entrepreneurship

She is also module leader on the BA Business and Management course for Design Thinking and Enterprise. 

Her diverse teaching portfolio includes Strategic Management (MBA), Business in Action (L4), Transferrable Skills, Professional Practice and Development for MSc, Business Environment, Professional Development, Organisational Behaviour Management, International Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Business Management and Marketing. 

Research impact

Meryem's dedication to academic excellence is further highlighted by her active involvement in interdisciplinary research. She has exhibited her ability to secure external funding and manage projects effectively.  

For example, Meryem secured a grant for Istanbul Developmental Agency Funded Large Scale Project (£62,500) in 2016.  She was appointed as Project Coordinator for Gifted and Talented teenagers at 20 state schools in Istanbul.  The project included collaboration among various public and private sector stakeholders.

She coordinated organizing training programme to 500+ parents, 300+ teachers and 1000+ students during the project. Also, she set up astronomy, robotics, and literature studios for these 20 schools to enhance Gifted and Talented students’ learning experience.

Current community outreach projects

The focus was on using household waste to create artwork and increase awareness in communities for 14 weeks (September 2023- February 2024). This project was successful thanks to £6,650 funding by Emersons Green Town Council in Bristol 

  • Art and Well-being Youth Workshop Coordinator

The focus is on exploring wellbeing through Art over 14 weeks (March 2024- June 2024)  through a series of fun and creative workshops where participants discover art as a tool for self- expression, relaxation, and personal growth. Funded £5,450 by Emersons Green Town Council in Bristol.