Recording the Intangible Heritage of Displaced Communities
Dr. Susan Rottmann, as a partner from Özyeğin University, contributes to the GAPs Project – Decentring the Study of Migrant Returns and Readmission Policies in Europe and Beyond. The project investigates how return and readmission policies shape the lived experiences, identities, and narratives of migrants. By centring migrant perspectives and agency, GAPs aims to document how individuals and communities navigate processes of return, reintegration, and belonging. Through this lens, the project contributes to the recording and preservation of intangible cultural heritage linked to migration and mobility — including memories, stories, and social practices that reflect resilience and adaptation in transnational contexts.

Recording the Hidden Dimensions of Migration and Citizenship
Dr. Susan Rottmann contributes to The HIDDEN COST Action, an international research network exploring how identity documentation practices shape migration, citizenship, and belonging across Europe and beyond. The project investigates the cultural, political, and emotional meanings of documents—such as passports, permits, and registration papers—used in mobility and border processes. By uncovering the lived experiences and personal narratives behind these official records, HIDDEN helps preserve the intangible heritage of displaced communities, highlighting how identity and documentation intersect with memory, resilience, and human rights. 

Preserving Culinary Heritage and Fostering Belonging through Food
The project “Food, Homemaking and Social Integration for Syrian Women in Istanbul, Gaziantep and Hatay” led by Dr. Susan Rottmann explores how Syrian women in Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Hatay rebuild a sense of home and belonging through food in the aftermath of forced migration. Through in-depth ethnographic research, it examines how everyday cooking, sharing, and adaptation of recipes become acts of cultural preservation and social integration. Food serves not only as nourishment but as a medium for expressing love, loss, memory, and resilience—connecting women to their heritage while fostering relationships with host communities. By co-creating an online ethnographic cookbook with participants, the project contributes to the recording and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, while also offering insights for policymakers and civil society on strengthening social cohesion between Syrians and locals in Türkiye. 

New Peasants and Rural Transformation in Turkey
The research led by Dr. Candan Turkkan explores the growing phenomenon of “new peasants” — urban residents who have migrated to rural areas to engage in agriculture. Based on semi-structured interviews with 83 participants, the study examines how these individuals position themselves within Turkey’s agricultural landscape. Findings reveal that new peasants are predominantly concentrated in the Marmara and Aegean regions, often adopting “natural farming” practices. Their clustering tendencies appear to stem from a desire to live near like-minded individuals and to distance themselves from broader social and political polarization. The research suggests that while these new rural settlers bring innovation and alternative agricultural models, they may also contribute to emerging socio-economic and cultural divisions in the countryside, potentially forming a “rural bourgeoisie.” You can access the study via the publication link here.