Dr Zeynep Candır is an Online Tutor in Education in the Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
- Overview
- Research Interests
Through my professional experiences, I have come to realise that what excites me most is the exploration and understanding of people. This journey began with my academic studies in Turkish Literature and Comparative Literature, recognising literature as one of the most aesthetic means to achieve this understanding.
Subsequently, I extended this practice into education, teaching Turkish Literature at primary, secondary and university levels. I found immense satisfaction in assisting children and young individuals in discovering themselves through the realms of reading and writing.
During my tenure in the early grades of primary school, I keenly observed the learning processes of children in reading and writing, identifying their needs in language acquisition and fostering a love for reading.
Engaging with a non-profit foundation, Vakıf K12, I collaborated with a dedicated team and undertook the role of authoring children's books as part of a reading tree project in Turkish.
Further advancing my career, I worked as a lecturer on Turkish Language and Literature at the university level at Yeditepe University in Istanbul. In parallel, I continued my academic journey by exploring the psychoanalytical literary approach in my master’s thesis.
Additionally, for my PhD, I proposed a theoretical framework advocating for the consideration and application of the Gestalt approach as a method of literary criticism. Embracing this perspective not only allowed me to understand myself among others but also shaped my lifestyle, leading me to identify as a Gestalt practitioner.
Joining QMU, I have taken on the role of facilitating online MA modules. It brings me great joy to assist students in developing their academic skills. I firmly believe that this endeavour aligns with my passion for understanding people and my commitment to enhancing others' capacities to achieve their best.
My research interests can be summarised as interdisciplinary social studies rooted in my PhD thesis. The thesis proposed the Gestalt approach as a method of literary criticism, with the goal of comprehending the wholeness involving authors, readers, context, critics, and all elements contributing to the meaning of the text.
Furthermore, within my thesis, I sought to enhance my understanding of Sabahattin Ali, a renowned figure in Turkish Literature, by analysing his works through the lens of Gestalt perspective. This effort aimed to serve as an illustrative example, fostering a better understanding of both literature and the human experience.
Active Research Interests:
- Interdisciplinary studies across literature, psychology and education
- Gestalt Approach
- Literary Criticism
- Gestalt Perspective in Literature
- Gestalt Perspective in Education
Research Method:
- Qualitative
