Sevda Bekman

Sevda Bekman is a Professor at the Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Education, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey. She is a founding member and consultant of AÇEV (Mother-Child Education Foundation). Her work focuses on early childhood intervention, particularly developing programs for vulnerable children and parents. She has held a visiting position as Nehru Chair Professor in Human Development and Family Studies at Maharaja Sayajiro University, India.

• PhD: University of London (1982, Child Development)
• M.S.: University of London (1977, Child Development)
• B.S.: Middle East Technical University (1971, Psychology)

Her research interests include evaluating home and center-based early childhood education programs targeting children in poverty. She has directed projects such as the Evaluation Research of the Preschool Education Program in Turkey’s Southeast region and the Turkish Enrichment Project’s long-term effects. She developed programs like Mother-Child Education Program and Parent-Child-Preschool Training Program, implemented nationwide with the Turkish Ministry of National Education and NGOs.

Publications include articles in national/international journals and the book A Fair Chance. She has advised national/international agencies and contributed to training and supervision services globally.