Berna Ayaz

Berna Ayaz is an Associate Professor and current Head of the Department of Turkish Folk Literature at Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Previously held academic positions at Bulent Ecevit University and Balikesir University. Specializes in Turkish folk literature, mythology, and cultural anthropology with focus on regional traditions, kinship systems, and oral narratives. Active in research projects including documentation of traditional occupations and folk medicine practices in Zonguldak and Balikesir regions.

Key research areas include analysis of epic poetry (destans), folk beliefs surrounding sacred spaces, and gender roles in folk traditions. Has published extensively on topics like Battalname demonology, wolf folklore in Anatolia, and prayer ritual continuity. Supervised master's theses on topics ranging from folk medicine to minstrel traditions.

Authored/co-authored books such as 'Kardesten Ote: Sanal Akrabalik Iliskilerine Halkbilimsel Yaklasim' and edited volumes on Turkish mythology. Participated in over 19 international conferences presenting research on cultural tourism, virtual kinship systems, and modern adaptations of folklore in digital media.