Melike Oguz Alper

Melike Oguz Alper is a Lecturer in Social Statistics at the University of Southampton, based in the Department of Social Statistics and Demography within the Faculty of Social Sciences. She joined the university as a lecturer in 2022 after working at Statistics Norway.

Her educational background includes:

• BSc in Mathematics from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey
• MSc in Social Statistics from University of Southampton (2012)
• PhD in Social Statistics from University of Southampton (2016)

Melike's research focuses on advanced statistical methodologies for complex survey data. Her primary research interests include:

• Finite population sampling design and inference
• Variance estimation of change in complex parameters under rotating panel surveys
• Empirical likelihood inference when modelling complex survey data
• Graph sampling methodologies

Her work bridges theoretical statistics with practical applications in official statistics, developing innovative approaches to handle hierarchical and complex survey data structures.

Her publication record shows consistent expertise in empirical likelihood methods and complex survey design, with significant contributions to labor force survey methodology and variance estimation techniques. Many of her publications address practical challenges in official statistics, particularly related to the Norwegian Labour Force Survey.

Professional experience includes:

• Lecturer in Social Statistics at University of Southampton (2022-present)
• Researcher at Statistics Norway (part-time)
• Assistant expert at Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat)

Melike teaches postgraduate modules including Survey Fundamentals, Complex Survey Data Analysis, Analysis of Hierarchical Data, Data Science Foundations, and Evaluation & Monitoring. She also delivers professional training courses in Graph Sampling, Survey Sampling, and various statistical methods.