Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Gündoğan | Preschool Education – Lecturer at Pamukkale University , Turkey

Aysun Gündoğan is an academic expert in child development and preschool education. Currently a lecturer at Pamukkale University, she specializes in child development, creativity, drama, and early childhood education. Aysun has a robust academic background, with a Ph.D. in Child Development from Hacettepe University. She is dedicated to advancing education practices, particularly in nurturing children’s creativity and well-being through various methods such as drama and technology integration. Aysun’s research contributions and publications have focused on early childhood development and creative imagination.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Education:

Aysun Gündoğan holds a Ph.D. in Child Development from Hacettepe University, where she researched the adaptation of creative imagination tests for Turkish children and the impact of drama on their creativity. She completed her M.A. in Preschool Education at Pamukkale University, focusing on the challenges faced by preschool teachers. Aysun’s B.A. was also in Preschool Education from Pamukkale University, laying a strong foundation for her professional and academic career. Her extensive education has shaped her into a key figure in child development research.

Experience:

Aysun Gündoğan has over two decades of experience in education. She is currently a lecturer at Pamukkale University, teaching courses on child development, creativity, drama, and children’s literature. Previously, she worked as a preschool teacher for 18 years at the Ministry of National Education, where she designed and implemented educational programs for young children. Aysun has extensive experience in research, having led projects like the “Social-Emotional Disability Prevention Program.” Her practical and academic expertise allows her to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Research Interests:

Aysun Gündoğan’s research focuses on cognitive development, creativity, drama, technology, and subjective well-being in children. Her work explores how children’s imagination develops, how drama impacts their creativity, and the role of technology in their learning. She also examines emotional and social development, including resilience and peer relationships in early childhood. Aysun aims to improve educational practices through innovative approaches that foster children’s creative and emotional growth. Her research contributes significantly to early childhood education theories and practices.

Awards:

Throughout her career, Aysun has received several accolades for her contributions to early childhood education. She was awarded the First Prize in her B.A. in Preschool Education. In addition, she has been recognized by the Ministry of National Education with a Certificate of Appreciation in 2002 and a monthly reward in 2010 for her dedication to education. These honors highlight her commitment to improving preschool education and her significant impact on the field. 🏆

Publications:

Do preschoolers imagine different things as their experience expands? A Turkish longitudinal study

Criteria for imagination: A content analysis of preschool picture storybooks on imagining or imagination

Citations: 0

“Hear my voice”: Subjective well-being scale for young children (SWB-YC)

Citations: 2

Year: 2022

Prediction of self-concept by trait anxiety and basic values in childhood period

Year: 2021

Oh no monster! Do imaginative fears trigger creative imagination?

Citations: 4

Year: 2020

Conclusion:

Aysun Gündoğan’s dedication to advancing research in child development, her role in shaping educational practices, and her impact on both academic communities and real-world applications make her an excellent candidate for the “Best Researcher Awards.” Her work addresses vital areas of early childhood education, and her continued contributions significantly enhance the field. Her comprehensive background, research outputs, and commitment to children’s development confirm her suitability for such an award.She has demonstrated consistent excellence in her research endeavors, and her continued success will likely further enrich the understanding of child development globally.

Yelim Hong | Child Develop | Young Scientist Award

Posted on 30/12/202430/12/2024 by Academic achievements

Dr. Yelim Hong | Child Develop | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Yelim Hong | Child Develop – Postdoctoral fellow at The University of Texas at Austin, Uniteed States

Yelim Hong is a promising postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in developmental psychology with a focus on the parent-child relationship, self-regulation, and socio-emotional development. With a solid foundation in developmental psychopathology, Yelim’s research explores the dynamic interactions within family systems and their impact on children’s behavioral outcomes. Her work contributes to understanding the links between harsh parenting, child externalizing problems, and emotional regulation. As an emerging expert in her field, Yelim’s research also examines how family dynamics influence cognitive and emotional development through a biopsychological lens.

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Education:

Yelim Hong’s educational background demonstrates a strong commitment to developmental psychology, having completed a Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2023. Her dissertation, “The Role of Child and Household Regulation on Bidirectional Links Between Harsh Parenting and Child Externalizing Behavior Problems,” offered new insights into the interplay between family dynamics and child behavior. Prior to this, she earned a Master’s degree in the same field from the same institution, where her thesis focused on sibling differences in conduct problems and the role of effortful control. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with honors, from the University of Iowa, where she explored the relationship between parental verbal responsiveness and language outcomes during early childhood.

Experience:

Yelim’s professional journey is marked by diverse research roles. After completing her graduate studies, she took on the role of a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, where she collaborates with leading researchers in the field of developmental psychology. Her experience includes working as a professional research staff member at the University of Iowa, focusing on early childhood development and parental responsiveness. Throughout her career, Yelim has contributed significantly to various studies related to parenting, child development, and neuropsychological mechanisms, gaining recognition for her interdisciplinary approach and methodological expertise.

Research Interests:

Yelim Hong’s research interests are centered on the intersection of child development, family systems, and socio-emotional growth. Specifically, her work delves into how parenting practices, particularly harsh parenting, impact children’s emotional regulation and externalizing behaviors. She also explores how individual differences, such as self-regulation and effortful control, mediate these relationships. Yelim’s research embraces both psychological and physiological approaches, utilizing neuroimaging and other advanced techniques to uncover how family dynamics influence children’s development. Her broad interests include developmental psychopathology, cognitive development, and the biopsychosocial model of psychological well-being.

Awards:

Yelim’s dedication to research has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards. In 2024, she received the Early Career Scholars Postdoctoral Fellowship from the University of Texas at Austin and the SRCD 2025 Biennial Early Career Travel Award. She was also honored with the Center for Research on Families Methodology Scholarship in 2023. Yelim’s work in promoting diversity and inclusion within academia earned her the Graduate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Service Award at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Furthermore, she received commendation for her interdisciplinary research at the SRCD 2021 conference.

Publications:

Hong, Y., Klinginsmith, M., Quiñones-Camacho, E. L. (2024). Children’s executive functions predict their use of emotion regulation strategies. Cognition and Emotion, 1-17.🧠

Hong, Y., Deater-Deckard, K., & Bell, M. A. (2024). Similarity of Mother-Child Within-Dyad Similarity During Observed Interactions: Links with Parent and Child Effortful Control. Family Relations, 1–17.👩‍👧‍👦

Hong, Y., Bertrand, M. C., Deater-Deckard, K., Smith, L. C., & Bell, M. A. (2024). The role of mother’s and child’s self-regulation on the bidirectional effects between harsh parenting and child’s externalizing problems. Developmental Psychology, 60(3), 441-455.💡

Hong, Y., McCormick, S. A., Deater-Deckard, K., Calkins, S. D., & Bell, M. A. (2021). Household Chaos, Parenting, and child emotion regulation in middle childhood. Social Development, 30(3), 786-805.🏠

Deater-Deckard, K., Hong, Y., Bertrand, C., & Folker, A. (2024). Cognition and emotion: Family member similarity and intergenerational transmission. In Child development at the intersection of emotion and cognition (2nd ed., pp. 135-157). American Psychological Association.📘

Conclusion:

Yelim Hong is a distinguished early-career researcher whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of the developmental processes within family dynamics. Her interdisciplinary research not only bridges cognitive psychology and family systems but also brings a unique focus on self-regulation and emotion processing in children. With numerous awards, a solid publication record, and ongoing projects that continue to make an impact in the field, Yelim Hong is an ideal candidate for the Young Scientist Award. Her contributions promise to further the understanding of developmental psychopathology and the role of family environments in shaping children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes.

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci | Child Development | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 03/09/202403/09/2024 by Academic achievements

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci | Child Development | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci, Cankiri Karatekin University, Turkey

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci is an accomplished academic and practitioner in early childhood education and child development. Currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Child Development at Çankırı Karatekin University, she brings extensive experience from her tenure at the University of York. Dr. Çiftci’s career spans roles such as a preschool teacher in both the UK and Turkey, and she has actively contributed to non-governmental organizations, including roles with the Turkish Badminton and Table Tennis Federations. Her work blends practical experience with academic research, focusing on bilingual education and child development. Dr. Çiftci is known for her dedication to enhancing educational practices and contributing to the field through both research and applied work.

profile

Orcid

Strengths for the Award:

Comprehensive Educational Background: Dr. Ayşe Çiftci holds a Doctoral degree in Early Childhood Development and Education from the University of York, a Master’s in Education from the University of Nottingham, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Training from Gazi University, showcasing a robust academic foundation.
Relevant and Impactful Research: Her doctoral thesis focused on the perceptions of bilingual Turkish students, their teachers, and parents regarding mother tongue learning, highlighting a significant contribution to bilingual education and its implications for early childhood development.
Practical Experience: Dr. Çiftci’s hands-on experience as a preschool teacher and her roles in various child development-focused organizations demonstrate a practical understanding of educational practices and challenges, enriching her research perspective.
Active Memberships: Her membership in prominent scientific organizations such as the British Early Childhood Education Research Association and the British Association for Applied Linguistics reflects her active engagement with the academic community and current trends in her field.
Recognition and Awards: The Yurt Dışı Yüksek Lisans ve Doktora Bursu (YLSY) award from the Turkish Ministry of National Education acknowledges her academic excellence and potential.

Areas for Improvement:

Publication Record: While Dr. Çiftci’s research contributions are notable, expanding her publication record in high-impact journals and presenting at international conferences could enhance her visibility and impact in the academic community.
Research Diversity: Diversifying her research topics to include a broader range of early childhood education issues beyond bilingualism could demonstrate versatility and a wider impact on the field.
Collaborative Research: Engaging in collaborative research projects with other leading experts or institutions might provide opportunities for broader, interdisciplinary insights and innovations.

Education 📚

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci completed her doctoral studies in Early Childhood Development and Education at the University of York in 2022, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Leah Roberts. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Nottingham in 2016, with a thesis on bilingual Turkish students, guided by Philip Hood. Dr. Çiftci’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Training from Gazi University, followed by an Associate Degree from Anadolu University. Her educational background highlights a strong foundation in child development and educational research, supported by international experiences and a focus on bilingual education and pedagogical practices.

Experience📝

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci has a diverse professional background in both academic and practical settings. She currently serves as a Lecturer in Child Development at Çankırı Karatekin University, where she focuses on early childhood education. Her previous academic role was at the University of York, where she contributed to the Department of Education. Dr. Çiftci has also worked as a preschool teacher at Yearsley Grove Primary School and the Centre of Turkish Language Culture in Nottingham. Her non-academic experience includes roles as a Child Development Specialist with the Turkish Badminton and Table Tennis Federations and a Coordinator for the University of York’s Graduate Student Association. This extensive experience underscores her expertise in child development, education, and organizational roles.

Awards and Honors🏆

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci has been recognized for her academic excellence and contributions to the field of education. She received the Yurt Dışı Yüksek Lisans ve Doktora Bursu (YLSY) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education in 2013, a prestigious scholarship supporting her graduate and doctoral studies abroad. This award highlights her commitment to advancing her knowledge and expertise in early childhood education and child development. Her recognition extends to her active participation in academic associations and contributions to educational research, underscoring her dedication to the field and her impact on educational practices and policies.

Research Focus 🔍

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci’s research primarily centers on early childhood development and bilingual education. Her doctoral thesis explored the perceptions of teachers, students, and parents regarding the learning of a mother tongue by bilingual Turkish students. This research addresses key aspects of bilingual education and its impact on learning outcomes in early childhood. Dr. Çiftci’s work aims to enhance understanding of how bilingualism influences educational experiences and child development. Her focus on these areas contributes to improving educational practices and supports the development of effective strategies for bilingual education and child development. Through her research, Dr. Çiftci seeks to bridge gaps in educational practices and promote better outcomes for young learners in diverse linguistic contexts.

publications

How Turkish Supplementary Schools in the UK Boost Vocabulary in Bilingual Children (Ages 4–8)” 📚🇹🇷

“Ergenlik Dönemi ve Aile İlişkilerinin Benlik Algısı ve Sosyal Anksiyete Üzerindeki Etkileri: Türkiye’deki Araştırmaların İncelenmesi” 🔍📖

“Why Important is Learning Turkish as a Mother Tongue for Bilingual Students in England?” 🌍🗣️

Conclusion

Dr. Ayşe Çiftci is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her solid academic background, impactful research on bilingual education, and practical experience in early childhood development. Her dedication to the field is evident through her active involvement in relevant organizations and her recognition through prestigious awards. Addressing areas for improvement, such as enhancing her publication record and diversifying her research focus, could further strengthen her candidacy. Overall, Dr. Çiftci’s qualifications and contributions position her as a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.