Elif Toker-Turnalar

Elif Toker Turnalar is a Lecturer, Researcher and Academic Leader at Regent's University London whose work explores one central question: how is belonging created, negotiated and experienced in an increasingly digital, mobile and interconnected world?

Working across political communication, media studies, public relations, migration studies and digital culture, her research examines how communication shape’s identity, citizenship, participation and public life. Drawing together perspectives from politics, sociology and communication, she is particularly interested in the ways individuals and communities construct belonging across physical, cultural and digital spaces.

Born and raised in London to Turkish migrant parents, Elif's academic interests have been shaped by lived experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities. These experiences have informed a longstanding research agenda exploring migration, identity, citizenship and political participation, while encouraging broader questions about whether traditional concepts such as diaspora remain sufficient for understanding increasingly diverse and interconnected societies. Her current work argues for belonging as a richer conceptual framework through which to understand contemporary identities that are fluid, relational and shaped by multiple communities rather than singular origins.

Her academic career began with research into military politics, political decision-making, media ownership and agenda-setting in late-developing countries. Although her research has expanded considerably, questions of communication, power and representation remain at the heart of her scholarship. Today, these themes are explored through the intersections of political communication, social media, digital culture and contemporary public discourse.

A significant strand of Elif's research is a rare interdisciplinary longitudinal study following the evolving relationship between young people and social media over more than a decade. The project examines how successive technological changes influence political understanding, civic participation, social relationships and identity formation, offering a unique perspective on how digital environments shape experiences of belonging across generations.

Teaching is central to Elif's academic practice. She is particularly recognised for her expertise in Political Communication and Foundation education, where she works with students from diverse educational, linguistic and cultural backgrounds as they transition into higher education. Her teaching combines academic rigour with an inclusive and supportive approach, encouraging students to think critically across disciplinary boundaries while developing the confidence and independence needed to succeed at university and beyond.

Rather than treating politics, communication, media and public relations as separate disciplines, Elif encourages students to explore the connections between them. Her teaching reflects her belief that understanding today's global challenges requires an interdisciplinary perspective and the ability to evaluate complex social, political and cultural issues from multiple viewpoints. She integrates digital technologies throughout her teaching to create engaging, accessible and collaborative learning environments that extend beyond the classroom.

Alongside her teaching and research, Elif is Chair of the British Association for Turkish Area Studies (BATAS), where she promotes interdisciplinary scholarship, international collaboration and public engagement through conferences, publications and academic partnerships. Within Regent's University London she also serves as Chair of the Women's Network and contributes to institutional initiatives supporting equality, diversity and inclusion, student wellbeing and academic community.

Across her teaching, research and academic leadership, Elif is committed to connecting scholarship with contemporary social challenges. Her work seeks to deepen understanding of how communication shapes belonging in the twenty-first century while equipping students with the critical, intercultural and analytical skills needed to navigate and contribute to a rapidly changing world.

Qualifications

• September 2001 – January 2009, University of Westminster, Researcher Political Communication, and Specialised in Professional Control of the Media in late developed countries. Advisors: Prof. Steven Barnett & Prof. Jean Seaton
• October 1996 – September 1999, Bogazici University Istanbul, Turkey. MA Political Science and International Relations. Thesis topic: “The Formal Role of the Military in Political Decision Making: Egypt and Turkey”. Advisors: Prof. Ersin Kalaycioglu and Dr. William Hale
• September 1992 – June 1996, Middlesex University, BA in Politics, History and Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Emphases on European Union, EU law, pre and post 1989 Eastern Bloc countries, Political History and Political theory.

Social Media

Twitter and Instagram: @elftok

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eliftokerturnalar

• Supervised a number of students with their MA research on topics around Political Communication

Research Interests

• Political Communication used by late developing countries.
• Research and understanding of Political PR as well as corporate PR and how this has developed in recent times with technological changes.
• To examine the PR of individual countries on the International Relations stage.
• The Formal Role of the Military in Political Decision Making.

• Jean Monnet European Union award to complete research at the University of Westminster, London. Full tuition fees and living expenses.