lecturer in eu policy and politics

I’m Meltem, a lecturer in EU Policy and Politics at the Maastricht School of European Studies (MSES). I am a TQA-IC-qualified teacher and assessor, with a particular interest in gender equality, participatory democracy, and sustainability (Inner Development Goals). In addition to teaching, I host Maastricht Talks Europe, the monthly Maastricht School of European Studies vodcast.

uniTed nations projects

I actively collaborate with United Nations Peacekeeping and have contributed to seven UN projects as an external expert since 2022.

This includes the Seeking Peace podcast, co-produced with the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the UN Department of Peace Operations, which explores the vital role of women in building lasting peace. Below is my quote from the Seeking Peace podcast that appeared on the cover page of the below UN report.

peace begins with her

Peace Begins with Her project is a global initiative that highlights the vital role women play in building and sustaining peace. Part of the UN and Inside Out Project collaboration, it features large-scale portraits of women peacebuilders and peacekeepers displayed in public spaces to raise awareness and inspire action.

I contributed to this project in 2023 and 2024, with my own large-scale portraits displayed in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and in the New York subway.

In Geneva, I participated in a panel discussion with peacebuilders, UN officials, and academics, sharing experiences and insights on the importance of women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes.

Maastricht talks europe

Alongside teaching and international engagement, I host Maastricht Talks Europe, connecting EU developments with citizens’ daily lives and showing their impact.

Background

I hold a bachelor’s degree in European Studies from Zuyd Hogeschool, including an exchange semester at Sciences Po Lyon, followed by a pre-master’s at Maastricht University and a master’s in Arts and Culture specialising in Politics and Society. I completed my Teaching Qualification Assessment in an International Classroom (TQA-IC) at Utrecht University.

I have working experience at INTERREG-V-A-EMR, ARTE, Home for Cooperation, and Womanica.