Oktay Bilgi

Prof. Dr. Oktay Bilgi is a Professor of Childhood Education at the Alanus University of Arts and Society since December 2024. Previously, he served as a Research Assistant at the University of Cologne’s Department of Educational Sciences (2014–2024). He holds a Dr. phil. from the University of Cologne (2020), focusing on pedagogical beginnings and societal change. His research emphasizes childhood education theory, ethical-ecological care, and multispecies relationships in daycare centers. He is active in the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE) and the International Froebel Society.

Education:

• PhD in Philosophy, University of Cologne (2020)
• Studies in Educational Sciences at University of Bielefeld (2003–2011), specializing in Social Work, Migration Pedagogy, and Racism Research

Research Interests: Bilgi explores childhood education theory in social change contexts, educational anthropology, phenomenology, and new materialism. His work addresses ethical and ecological dimensions of human-animal relationships in daycare, cultural education, and sustainability. He co-edits volumes on care, quality frameworks, and early childhood pedagogy.

Grants & Memberships:

• Hans-Böckler-Stiftung Fellowship (2011–2014)
• Member of DGfE, DGPhil, and International Froebel Society

His lectures address crises in pedagogy, multispecies care, and cultural education in the Anthropocene. He frequently collaborates on projects linking ecological ethics with early childhood spaces, such as the BMBF-funded 'Spatial Qualities' initiative.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with interdisciplinary networks like the 'Netzwerk frühkindliche kulturelle Bildung' and contributes to collaborative research on early childhood spaces and sustainability.