Meet Comm Professor Burcu Baykurt

By Nusrah Azeez and Christine Souaiden

Please tell us about yourself and your educational journey

My undergraduate studies was in Political science in Istanbul, Turkey. This is my third year at UMass. Before coming here, I did my PhD at Columbia University. I have two Master’s degrees, one from NYU and the other from the University of London. Both Masters degrees were in the area of media, culture, communication and political communication specifically. 

How long have you been teaching?

I have been teaching since 2011, so it has been about a decade of teaching for me. I taught at Barnard College when I was a PhD student. I also taught very briefly in Turkey. Now I am at UMass.

What are some of the classes you have taught here at UMass?

I have created two classes since I arrived here and I have been teaching them since Fall 2019. One of the classes is called Sidewalks and Screens and the other one is Social Life of Algorithms. Both classes speak to my research interests, I work on how the changes in culture and technology impact urban life. Sidewalks and Screens is about the relationship between cities and technology. Social Life of Algorithms looks at how algorithm systems are restructuring lives. 

What has your work experience at UMass taught you?

This is my first academic job out of grad school, so it’s been a long learning curve for me to manage my time between teaching, research, advising, and other administrative work. I have learned that an academic’s life is not just one job, it involves a lot of other aspects. I am learning how to manage my time to fulfill all my responsibilities. It has been a learning experience. 

What is a significant difference you have noticed in students since the university returned in person?

At the beginning of the Fall semester, I noticed that students were yearning and excited for in-class learning. There is something magical about being in the classroom and working collectively. The classroom as a space is very important, online learning did not provide that same experience. I felt students were committed to creating that space again, it is really motivating for a teacher to see that kind of enthusiasm in students. 

Do you have any publications that would be of interest to Comm undergrads?

I have a publication on smart cities and the different urban inequalities impacted by smart cities both in the United States and the rest of the world. I think students would find it interesting. I try to assign them as optional pieces in my classes rather than require them. Everytime I do it, students respond really well. Also, I recently published a book about soft power and how that term has traveled since the 1990s. It is historical because it is a term that many people are familiar with, students might find it interesting.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to exercise and spend time with my friends. I am a huge jazz fan, I love listening to live jazz but I have not been able to spend time in the jazz club since the pandemic started.

What advice do you have for Comm students?

I personally find Communication as a very critical and creative field that allows students to explore a wide range of interests, so I encourage Comm students to embrace the breath of the field and find their passion within Communication because it is a very important area of study and there is a lot you can do. Also, it is a field that allows you to translate across different interests and skills.