PROF. DR. ITIR ERHART

Prof. Dr. Itır Erhart holds a degree in English Language & Literature and Philosophy from Boğaziçi University, an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, and a doctorate from Boğaziçi University. She currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Communication at Istanbul Bilgi University, where she teaches courses on gender studies, human rights, media, and social movements. In 2008, she co-founded Adım Adım (Step by Step) alongside five colleagues. Now boasting 130,000 members, the organization has mobilized over 355 million TL in resources for NGOs through sport-based fundraising, establishing itself as one of Turkey's leading civic initiatives. She is also a founding member of the transparency platform Açık Açık and its affiliated social enterprise, Açık Açık Sosyal Girişim. Her sustained contributions to civil society earned her a place on the "Fark Yaratanlar" (Difference Makers) program, and in 2014 she was honored with the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. She serves on the boards of Inogar, Etki Çemberleri Foundation, Zehra Yıldız Culture and Arts Foundation, and TEGV (Board of Trustees), and holds advisory roles at Esas Sosyal, Yanındayız Association Theatre Cooperative, and the İyi Ki Philanthropy Foundation. A recognized authority in her field, she serves as a jury member for the Afife Theatre Awards, Sardis Awards, Golden Compass Turkey Public Relations Awards, Felis Awards, Sustainable Brands, and the Women of the Soil Competition. In addition to her academic and civic work, Erhart is a regular contributor to GQ Turkey and Onedio. She is the author of two books — "Ben Neyim" (What Am I?) and "Koşaradım – Bir Yaşamdan Notlar" (I Ran – Notes from a Life) — as well as a children's book titled "Have You Ever Seen Children Dancing Around a Water Well?" An accomplished endurance athlete, she competes in both marathon and ultra-marathon events.