BY EKİNSU POLAT (AMER/II)
Assoc. Prof. Gülüm Özçelik was born in Ankara. Dr. Özçelik started her academic career at Ankara University, completed her M.A. degree in International Relations at Middle East Technical University (2001), her LLM degree in European Law at the University of Exeter (2003) and received her PhD in Private International Law at Ankara University (2007). Özçelik, who has been working as a faculty member at Bilkent University Faculty of Law since 2009, also undertakes academic and professional duties in various national and international organizations. Her research areas include Private International Law, International Arbitration, Law of Citizenship and Aliens, International and European Migration Law and European Union Law. Özçelik has had articles published in many magazines and books. She also advises on various postgraduate theses at Bilkent University Faculty of Law. Özçelik serves as a Board Member of Bilkent University Dormitories and of the Faculty of Applied Sciences as well as a Member of Gender Equality Committee. She is teaching LAW 304 (Private International Law) and LAW 413 (European Union Law) for the spring semester.
What has been the most exciting moment of your career so far?
It was in 2018 when I was invited to take part in the Turkish delegation for the negotiation of an international agreement at the Hague Conference on Private International Law, which is one of the most important international organizations in my area of expertise.
What’s one piece of information from your field that you think everyone should know?
Migrants should not be left behind.
When and where do you do your best thinking?
Early in the morning, at my office with a cup of coffee.
What distracts you?
Noise.
What are you most curious about?
Learning new things.
What’s the most common misconception about your work?
That we only teach. Teaching is actually a small part of our work.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I spend time with my two kids. I’m also into sports. I do fitness and kickboxing.
Which books have influenced you the most, and why?
During my undergraduate studies, my favorite books were by John Grisham, who is both a lawyer and writer. The one I enjoyed most was “The Firm.” Another book which influenced me is “Madonna in a Fur Coat (Kürk Mantolu Madonna)” by Sabahattin Ali.
If you weren’t an academic, what career would you choose?
I would be a diplomat.
What is the secret of leading a happy life?
Inner peace.
If you could go back to your undergraduate/graduate student years, what advice would you give to your younger-self?
Learn three to four foreign languages.
Why did you choose an academic career?
During my graduate studies at METU I realized that I love doing research and reading.
What do you like the most about being at Bilkent?
The beautiful campus in the changing seasons, the library and the small classes, which give us the possibility of interaction with our students.
What projects are you working on currently?
I’ve been working on migration law for the last eight to nine years. The specific project that I’m working on now is migration governance and sustainability, in which we deal with the rights of migrants from the point of sustainable development goals 2030.
What’s your best work?
My monograph on Parallel Proceedings in International Civil Procedure.
What is the coolest thing about your work?
Teaching.
Could you share a turning point or defining moment in your career?
When I was granted the Jean Monnet scholarship for my master’s in law, LLM studies in England.
Why did you choose Bilkent?
Because of the international academic environment, the possibility of designing and offering new courses on contemporary issues and the library.
