Derya Ozkul
Biographic Data
| ID | 325013 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Derya Ozkul |
| GIVEN NAMES | Derya |
| FAMILY NAME | Ozkul |
| SIGNATURE | OZKUL D |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Warwick |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5651-1983 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 38 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 15 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Digital technologies and migration: Behind, Beyond and Around the Black Box
Digital technologies have often been criticised due to their tendency to operate as ‘black boxes’, owing to their complexity and opacity, which pose challenges to understanding their inner mechanisms and outputs. This article presents the conceptual framework for this special issue aimed at shifting the focus away from viewing technology as a ‘black box’. Our primary objective is to contribute to the literature on digital technology-driven migrat…
Constructed objectivity in asylum decision-making through new technologies
Asylum decision-making is a complicated process. The vast ethnographic scholarship on refugee status determination underscores the interplay of subjectivities among various individuals involved in the process, including decision-makers, interpreters and invited experts. In recent years, several asylum authorities have introduced new technologies into the asylum procedure. This article focuses on the adoption of two specific tools, ‘automated dial…
Climbing a Wall: Strategic Litigation Against Automated Systems in Migration and Asylum
Strategic litigation plays a crucial role in advancing human rights in the digital age, particularly in cases where data subjects, such as migrants and protection seekers, experience significant power imbalances. In this Article, we consider strategic litigation as part of broader legal mobilization efforts. Although some emerging studies have examined contestation against digital rights and migrant rights separately using legal mobilization fram…
Artificial Intelligence and Ethnic, Religious, and Gender‐Based Discrimination
This thematic issue explores the applications of artificial intelligence‐based technologies and their potential for producing discriminatory and biased outcomes based on ethnicity, religion, and gender. This thematic issue adds to the ongoing debate with theoretical and empirical studies and a commentary that examine the topic from various perspectives. This editorial discusses the key themes highlighted in the studies and presents the findings o…
UNHCR–state relations: Transfer of authority over refugee status determination
In over 50 states, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) conducts refugee status determination (RSD) but engages in various ‘capacity building’ initiatives to ultimately transfer or ‘hand over’ authority over RSD to states. In this article, we examine the recently concluded RSD-handover process in Turkey as a case study to analyse the power dynamics between UNHCR and states. Drawing on constructionist theories of international org…
But You Try to Dig the Hole; Why?’: A Review of the Hearing. The Hearing [Die Anhörung]
Journal Article ‘But You Try to Dig the Hole; Why?’: A Review of the Hearing Get access ‘But You Try to Dig the Hole; Why?’: A Review of the Hearing. The Hearing [Die Anhörung]. 2023. Film Directed by Lisa Gerig, Produced by Ensemble Film GmbH, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), 81. www.hearing-film.com Derya Ozkul Derya Ozkul Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TB, United Kingdom [email protected]…
In memory of Stephen Castles: Studying migration as part of social transformation
Stephen Castles' scholarship examines the dynamics of international migration, always in relation to broader trends in the political economy of the countries and regions in concern. In this short piece, I reflect on his scholarship, particularly since the 2000s and 2010s—a period I had the chance to work with him. Throughout the 2000s, Stephen Castles worked at the University of Oxford, as the Director of the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC), and lat…
Asylum Matters: On the Front Line of Administrative Decision-Making
Asylum decision making is at the very heart of refugee protection, yet frequently operates as a ‘black box’ – especially if State authorities choose to assess applicants on an individual basis. Because the 1951 Refugee Convention does not specify the processes through which an applicant may be recognized as a refugee, different States recognize refugees through different procedures. If States choose to evaluate applicants individually, it becomes…
Governing Migration and Asylum Amid Covid-19 and Legal Precarity in Turkey
Legal status and associated rights to access state services become even more important at times of crises like the Covid-19 pandemic. By reviewing legal amendments, central government and municipalities’ policies and policymakers’ statements, this article examines the example of Turkey, which is home to around 4 million undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The Turkish state-provided Covid-19 treatment in the ‘emergency’ scope of he…
Migration and social transformation through the lens of locality: A Multi-Sited Study of Experiences of Neighbourhood Transformation
Starting from Castles’ argument that contemporary international migration is part of ‘step-change’ transformations brought about by neoliberal globalisation, this article analyses the local impacts of global transformations by undertaking a comparative analysis of the myriad ways migration shapes three urban localities in South Korea, Turkey and Australia. The article explores how migrants and non-migrants in each locality make meaning about soci…
How do refugees navigate the UNHCR’s bureaucracy? The role of rumours in accessing humanitarian aid and resettlement
In conflict situations, rapid changes can occur in the conditions in both host and home countries. In the context of such uncertainty, how do refugees navigate the bureaucratic apparatus of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to obtain humanitarian aid and resettlement? We carried out fieldwork in 2019 in Lebanon and found the UNHCR’s bureaucracy to be a ‘black box’ for refugees in relation to the provision of information on…
Participatory Research: Still a One-Sided Research Agenda
Despite the prevalence of the term over the last two decades, scholars have not agreed on a definition of, or approach towards, participation, although critiques have emphasised that participation is not an equal process for all parties involved. By reviewing the literature and giving examples from fieldwork carried out in Lebanon, this article agrees with the common critique around participation and reflects over the limitations resulting from i…
The making of a transnational religion: Alevi movement in Germany and the World Alevi union
The literature on migrants’ religious movements generally see them as backward and conservative movements that are resistant to change. On the contrary, this paper shows that transnational religious movements are shaped by interactions between origin and destination places’ political, legal and social structures, and may take different pathways across time and place. Analysing the development of the Alevi diaspora movement in Germany and the rece…
At the Cutting Edge of Migration and Refugee Studies: A Festschrift for Prof Stephen Castles
At the Cutting Edge of Migration and Refugee Studies: A Festschrift for Prof Stephen Castles
Social Transformation and Migration: National and Local Experiences in South Korea, Turkey, Mexico and Australia
This book examines theories and specific experiences of international migration and social transformation, with special reference to the effects of neo-liberal globalization on four societies with vas
Alevi “Openings” and Politicization of the “Alevi Issue” During the AKP Rule
This article reviews recent government efforts to address the “Alevi issue” and identify their successes and failures. It demonstrates that the “Alevi openings” constituted paradoxical processes: tracing various components of the “openings” through news media, it shows that, on one hand, they enabled the “Alevi issue” to be brought to public attention. On the other hand, once Alevis were made more visible in public, non-sympathizers could mobiliz…
Alevi “Openings” and Politicization of the “Alevi Issue” During the AKP Rule
This article reviews recent government efforts to address the “Alevi issue” and identify their successes and failures. It demonstrates that the “Alevi openings” constituted paradoxical processes: tracing various components of the “openings” through news media, it shows that, on one hand, they enabled the “Alevi issue” to be brought to public attention. On the other hand, once Alevis were made more visible in public, non-sympathizers could mobiliz…
How do refugees navigate the UNHCR’s bureaucracy? The role of rumours in accessing humanitarian aid and resettlement
In conflict situations, rapid changes can occur in the conditions in both host and home countries. In the context of such uncertainty, how do refugees navigate the bureaucratic apparatus of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to obtain humanitarian aid and resettlement? We carried out fieldwork in 2019 in Lebanon and found the UNHCR’s bureaucracy to be a ‘black box’ for refugees in relation to the provision of information on…
Digital technologies and migration: Behind, Beyond and Around the Black Box
Digital technologies have often been criticised due to their tendency to operate as ‘black boxes’, owing to their complexity and opacity, which pose challenges to understanding their inner mechanisms and outputs. This article presents the conceptual framework for this special issue aimed at shifting the focus away from viewing technology as a ‘black box’. Our primary objective is to contribute to the literature on digital technology-driven migrat…
The making of a transnational religion: Alevi movement in Germany and the World Alevi union
The literature on migrants’ religious movements generally see them as backward and conservative movements that are resistant to change. On the contrary, this paper shows that transnational religious movements are shaped by interactions between origin and destination places’ political, legal and social structures, and may take different pathways across time and place. Analysing the development of the Alevi diaspora movement in Germany and the rece…
Constructed objectivity in asylum decision-making through new technologies
Asylum decision-making is a complicated process. The vast ethnographic scholarship on refugee status determination underscores the interplay of subjectivities among various individuals involved in the process, including decision-makers, interpreters and invited experts. In recent years, several asylum authorities have introduced new technologies into the asylum procedure. This article focuses on the adoption of two specific tools, ‘automated dial…
UNHCR–state relations: Transfer of authority over refugee status determination
In over 50 states, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) conducts refugee status determination (RSD) but engages in various ‘capacity building’ initiatives to ultimately transfer or ‘hand over’ authority over RSD to states. In this article, we examine the recently concluded RSD-handover process in Turkey as a case study to analyse the power dynamics between UNHCR and states. Drawing on constructionist theories of international org…
Governing Migration and Asylum Amid Covid-19 and Legal Precarity in Turkey
Legal status and associated rights to access state services become even more important at times of crises like the Covid-19 pandemic. By reviewing legal amendments, central government and municipalities’ policies and policymakers’ statements, this article examines the example of Turkey, which is home to around 4 million undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The Turkish state-provided Covid-19 treatment in the ‘emergency’ scope of he…
Migration and social transformation through the lens of locality: A Multi-Sited Study of Experiences of Neighbourhood Transformation
Starting from Castles’ argument that contemporary international migration is part of ‘step-change’ transformations brought about by neoliberal globalisation, this article analyses the local impacts of global transformations by undertaking a comparative analysis of the myriad ways migration shapes three urban localities in South Korea, Turkey and Australia. The article explores how migrants and non-migrants in each locality make meaning about soci…
Social Transformation and Migration: National and Local Experiences in South Korea, Turkey, Mexico and Australia
This book examines theories and specific experiences of international migration and social transformation, with special reference to the effects of neo-liberal globalization on four societies with vas
Alevi “Openings” and Politicization of the “Alevi Issue” During the AKP Rule
This article reviews recent government efforts to address the “Alevi issue” and identify their successes and failures. It demonstrates that the “Alevi openings” constituted paradoxical processes: tracing various components of the “openings” through news media, it shows that, on one hand, they enabled the “Alevi issue” to be brought to public attention. On the other hand, once Alevis were made more visible in public, non-sympathizers could mobiliz…
At the Cutting Edge of Migration and Refugee Studies: A Festschrift for Prof Stephen Castles
At the Cutting Edge of Migration and Refugee Studies: A Festschrift for Prof Stephen Castles
The making of a transnational religion: Alevi movement in Germany and the World Alevi union
The literature on migrants’ religious movements generally see them as backward and conservative movements that are resistant to change. On the contrary, this paper shows that transnational religious movements are shaped by interactions between origin and destination places’ political, legal and social structures, and may take different pathways across time and place. Analysing the development of the Alevi diaspora movement in Germany and the rece…
Participatory Research: Still a One-Sided Research Agenda
Despite the prevalence of the term over the last two decades, scholars have not agreed on a definition of, or approach towards, participation, although critiques have emphasised that participation is not an equal process for all parties involved. By reviewing the literature and giving examples from fieldwork carried out in Lebanon, this article agrees with the common critique around participation and reflects over the limitations resulting from i…
How do refugees navigate the UNHCR’s bureaucracy? The role of rumours in accessing humanitarian aid and resettlement
In conflict situations, rapid changes can occur in the conditions in both host and home countries. In the context of such uncertainty, how do refugees navigate the bureaucratic apparatus of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to obtain humanitarian aid and resettlement? We carried out fieldwork in 2019 in Lebanon and found the UNHCR’s bureaucracy to be a ‘black box’ for refugees in relation to the provision of information on…
Asylum Matters: On the Front Line of Administrative Decision-Making
Asylum decision making is at the very heart of refugee protection, yet frequently operates as a ‘black box’ – especially if State authorities choose to assess applicants on an individual basis. Because the 1951 Refugee Convention does not specify the processes through which an applicant may be recognized as a refugee, different States recognize refugees through different procedures. If States choose to evaluate applicants individually, it becomes…
Governing Migration and Asylum Amid Covid-19 and Legal Precarity in Turkey
Legal status and associated rights to access state services become even more important at times of crises like the Covid-19 pandemic. By reviewing legal amendments, central government and municipalities’ policies and policymakers’ statements, this article examines the example of Turkey, which is home to around 4 million undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The Turkish state-provided Covid-19 treatment in the ‘emergency’ scope of he…
Migration and social transformation through the lens of locality: A Multi-Sited Study of Experiences of Neighbourhood Transformation
Starting from Castles’ argument that contemporary international migration is part of ‘step-change’ transformations brought about by neoliberal globalisation, this article analyses the local impacts of global transformations by undertaking a comparative analysis of the myriad ways migration shapes three urban localities in South Korea, Turkey and Australia. The article explores how migrants and non-migrants in each locality make meaning about soci…
But You Try to Dig the Hole; Why?’: A Review of the Hearing. The Hearing [Die Anhörung]
Journal Article ‘But You Try to Dig the Hole; Why?’: A Review of the Hearing Get access ‘But You Try to Dig the Hole; Why?’: A Review of the Hearing. The Hearing [Die Anhörung]. 2023. Film Directed by Lisa Gerig, Produced by Ensemble Film GmbH, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), 81. www.hearing-film.com Derya Ozkul Derya Ozkul Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TB, United Kingdom [email protected]…
In memory of Stephen Castles: Studying migration as part of social transformation
Stephen Castles' scholarship examines the dynamics of international migration, always in relation to broader trends in the political economy of the countries and regions in concern. In this short piece, I reflect on his scholarship, particularly since the 2000s and 2010s—a period I had the chance to work with him. Throughout the 2000s, Stephen Castles worked at the University of Oxford, as the Director of the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC), and lat…
Climbing a Wall: Strategic Litigation Against Automated Systems in Migration and Asylum
Strategic litigation plays a crucial role in advancing human rights in the digital age, particularly in cases where data subjects, such as migrants and protection seekers, experience significant power imbalances. In this Article, we consider strategic litigation as part of broader legal mobilization efforts. Although some emerging studies have examined contestation against digital rights and migrant rights separately using legal mobilization fram…
Artificial Intelligence and Ethnic, Religious, and Gender‐Based Discrimination
This thematic issue explores the applications of artificial intelligence‐based technologies and their potential for producing discriminatory and biased outcomes based on ethnicity, religion, and gender. This thematic issue adds to the ongoing debate with theoretical and empirical studies and a commentary that examine the topic from various perspectives. This editorial discusses the key themes highlighted in the studies and presents the findings o…
UNHCR–state relations: Transfer of authority over refugee status determination
In over 50 states, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) conducts refugee status determination (RSD) but engages in various ‘capacity building’ initiatives to ultimately transfer or ‘hand over’ authority over RSD to states. In this article, we examine the recently concluded RSD-handover process in Turkey as a case study to analyse the power dynamics between UNHCR and states. Drawing on constructionist theories of international org…
Digital technologies and migration: Behind, Beyond and Around the Black Box
Digital technologies have often been criticised due to their tendency to operate as ‘black boxes’, owing to their complexity and opacity, which pose challenges to understanding their inner mechanisms and outputs. This article presents the conceptual framework for this special issue aimed at shifting the focus away from viewing technology as a ‘black box’. Our primary objective is to contribute to the literature on digital technology-driven migrat…
Constructed objectivity in asylum decision-making through new technologies
Asylum decision-making is a complicated process. The vast ethnographic scholarship on refugee status determination underscores the interplay of subjectivities among various individuals involved in the process, including decision-makers, interpreters and invited experts. In recent years, several asylum authorities have introduced new technologies into the asylum procedure. This article focuses on the adoption of two specific tools, ‘automated dial…
Political science (13 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Law (9 works) · Law (8 works) · Migration, Refugees, and Integration (8 works) · Politics (6 works) · Refugee (6 works) · Migration and Labor Dynamics (5 works) · Computer Science (4 works) · Migration, Health and Trauma (4 works)