Turkish Society: Inclusivity Officer

Herkese merhaba! 

I’m Melike, a 4th year Chemistry student and I’ve nominated myself for the role of inclusivity officer :)

As a Türk born and raised outside of Türkiye, I understand the issues that come with belonging to such different cultures. However, I also believe that regardless of where we’re from or where we’re going, we can always find a shared middle ground to understand each other better.

Whether you’re an avid fan of Turkish dramas, trying to reconnect with your roots or simply interested in our vibrant culture, I hope to run events welcoming everyone to come along, practise their Turkish speaking skills and simply connect.

If any of this resonates with you, please vote for me as Turk Doc’s inclusivity officer :) Teşekkürler!

I am standing for the role of the inclusivity officer as I am confident I will be able to connect all different types of society members, whether that be international students from Turkey, British Turks, or anyone interested in learning about Turkish culture. As someone who has lived in Turkey and moved to the UK at a young age, I feel I can understand and celebrate the differences and similarities members might have, and as a result I will push to support an equal environment for everyone to feel a sense of community without feeling left out or unheard.

One thing I am keen on working towards is creating a more active society which highlights the welcoming and homely nature of typical Turkish communities, for instance I think the society was incredibly connected and successfully hardworking in both supporting each other and helping those in need during the heartbreaking Earthquake earlier this year. I truly felt a sense of community seeing everyone looking out for one another and putting in the effort to help those affected, and this type of community is what I would like to continue and improve.

In terms of events, I will ensure there are equality and diversity principles so that everyone can feel included, no matter their nationality, gender, ethnicity, religion and so on. Although not all events may cater to each individual, with a diverse ray of events planned to ensure cohesion, I feel everyone will find an event they will feel welcome, or ‘at home’ at.

Hello, my name is Melisa Ucer, and I am excited to nominate myself for the position of Inclusivity Officer. I was born and raised in London, but my roots trace back to Turkey, specifically Izmir, where both of my parents are from.

Despite being born in London, I was immersed in the Turkish language and culture from a young age. Turkish was my first language, and I later learned English at school, allowing me to have a deep understanding of both cultures. Growing up in a Turkish household in London has given me a unique perspective on bridging the gap between different cultures and communities. I believe my background equips me with the empathy and understanding needed to connect with our Turkish friends who have been raised abroad and help integrate diverse perspectives within our community. I am passionate about fostering inclusivity and creating a supportive environment for everyone, regardless of their background or language.

I have been involved in the society since February and have assisted the committee on various occasions therefore I know I will fit right in.

I look forward to working with rest of the committee and being your Inclusivity Officer.