About Ozge Yenigun
Ozge Yenigun
Ozge Yenigun’s research interests include immigration, civil society organizations, labor markets and economic development, with a geographic focus on Europe and the United States. She is interested in understanding how urban policies and planning practices facilitate the social and economic inclusion of immigrant populations and other marginalized communities, while at the same time, identify and enhance the potential contributions of these groups to local economic development. She works with community organizations and local governments in Europe and the United States to help promote immigrant integration through local action.
Ozge’s dissertation research examines the role of local organizations in affecting refugees’ labor market access and participation in Germany. Specifically, she analyzes how governmental and nongovernmental organizations build support and institutional capacity for the inclusion of refugees in work and society at the local scale, with a focus on labor market access and mobility, language learning and skill development. Her current research also examines urban policies and institutional arrangements that lead to racial equity and more inclusive forms of economic development. She has recently co-authored a journal article, From Capital to Capabilities: Human Development Theory and New Directions in Economic Development, which was published in the Journal of Education and Research in May 2022.
Ozge’s work has been supported by the Fulbright Grant, Maria Pia Gratton International Fellowship, and the Institute for Humane Studies, among others.
Education
- PhD, Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023 (Expected)
- Graduate Minor in European Union Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020
- M.Sc., Regional Planning, Middle East Technical University, 2015
- B.Sc., City and Regional Planning, Middle East Technical University, 2012
Research and publications
Selected publications
Doussard M. and Yenigun O. 2022. From Capital to Capabilities: Human Development Theory and New Directions in Economic Development. Journal of Planning Education and Research. May 2022. doi:10.1177/0739456X221091434
Yenigun O and Eraydin A. 2019. Governing urban diversity in Istanbul: Pragmatic and non-discriminatory solutions of governance initiatives in response to politicisation of diversity. European Urban and Regional Studies. 2019; 26(3): 268-282. doi:10.1177/0969776419854497
Teaching and advising
Classes taught
- UP 204: Chicago: Planning & Urban Life
- UP 330: The Modern American City
- UP 345: Economic Development Planning
- UP 486: Planning with Climate Change
- UP 545: Economic Development Policy