Deniz Ünsal

Deniz Ünsal is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Culture at Royal Roads University, specializing in cultural anthropology and heritage studies. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from Columbia University and has taught at institutions including the University of Victoria and Istanbul Bilgi University. Prior to academia, she worked as an assistant curator at Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam) and contributed to collections management at Istanbul Modern Museum of Art.

• 2019: Certificate in Digital Production, Writing and Design (Camosun College)
• 2018: Certificate in Learning and Teaching (University of Victoria)
• 2004: PhD in Anthropology (Columbia University)
• 1996 & 1995: MA degrees in Social and Cultural Anthropology and European Studies (Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium)
• 1994: BSc in Political Science and Public Administration (Middle East Technical University, Turkey)

Her research explores processes of meaning-making and power in museums, emphasizing EDI and community partnerships. She has consulted for municipalities, nonprofits, and UNESCO heritage sites in Turkey and the Netherlands. Notable projects include work on Ecomuseum Zavot in Kars and the Museum of Troy in Çanakkale. Her 2020 award recognizes her contributions to teaching and research at Royal Roads.

In advising and grants, she leads a project on cultural entrepreneurs in Western Canada, highlighting her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. Though affiliated with labs/teams, none are explicitly named; however, her work involves partnerships with nonprofits focused on human and social development.