Dr. Semiha Bekir

Biography

Semiha Bekir is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University focused on Development Education and Youth in Diverse Societies. Her research expertise lies in cultural diversity and inclusion in education, emphasizing dialogical perspectives. Bekir's research interests encompass community-based educational initiatives, parenting support, ethnic and religious identity formation in multilingual children, and faith-based youth work. She is currently engaged in projects addressing polarization in education, enhancing parental participation in diverse school settings, and providing mosque-based parenting support for families of Turkish backgrounds in the Netherlands. Bekir utilizes qualitative methodologies and adopts a multidisciplinary approach to investigate cultural diversity and learning issues. She previously completed her Ph.D. research at the University of Amsterdam, examining the portrayal and practice of education in Turkish Islamic communities in the Netherlands, with a critical focus on non-formal religious education and its role in identity negotiation among Turkish-Dutch children. Bekir is a founding member of the ISPED Research Network on Islamic Pedagogies and Education, which connects international experts in the field.

Research Interests

Experience