Founding Director

Ulaş Sunata

Ulaş Sunata is a Professor of Sociology at Bahçeşehir University and the Founding Director of the Bahçeşehir University Migration and Urban Studies Center (BAUMUS). With more than 25 years of experience in migration and urban studies, Sunata is recognized as a leading expert in the field for her innovative research and her contributions to academic and policy debates on migration. Professor Sunata holds a Bachelor's degree in Statistics and a Master's degree in Sociology from Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Supported by DAAD and Hans Böckler Foundation scholarships, she completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Osnabrück in Germany. Her academic career was significantly shaped by her time at the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) in Germany, where she deepened her expertise in migration studies. A prolific author, Professor Sunata has published books on highly skilled labor migration, the Circassian diaspora and the Balkans, and has written numerous articles in internationally recognized journals. Her research portfolio covers a wide range of topics, including labor migration, brain drain, diaspora studies and the challenges faced by refugees. Through analytical perspectives such as class, gender, age and rights, she explores the complex intersections of migration, urban issues and diaspora dynamics, offering nuanced insights into their socio-political dimensions.

Prof. Dr. Sunata is the principal investigator of the TÜBİTAK-funded project "Post-Pandemic Migration Experiences, Work–Home Dynamics and Family Relations," which examines the changing dynamics of migration and domestic work in the post-pandemic period. She is also the lead coordinator of the European Commission-funded Erasmus Mundus Design Measures Project "Migration, Diversity and Governance" (MiDiGo), which aims to design a joint master's program on migration among European universities. In response to the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023, Prof. Dr. Sunata launched the Sociology of Earthquakes Open Course, which attracted great attention both nationally and internationally. This initiative reflects her commitment to addressing urgent social issues by bringing together academic knowledge and public awareness. In addition to her academic contributions, Prof. Dr. Sunata is a sought-after speaker at international conferences and frequently collaborates with NGOs and policy institutions. Her work continues to shape academic discourse and inform policy approaches to migration, making her an important voice in contemporary sociology.