Zeynep Aycan is a Professor of Psychology at Koç University in Turkey. She holds her office in SOS 210 and can be reached at zaycan@ku.edu.tr or +90 212 338 1353. With a distinguished academic career spanning several decades, Professor Aycan has established herself as a leading expert in cross-cultural organizational psychology and leadership studies. Professor Aycan earned her PhD from Queen's University in 1996 and completed her Master's Degree at Boğaziçi University in 1992. Her educational background provided the foundation for her extensive research in cross-cultural organizational behavior and leadership. Professor Aycan's research primarily focuses on leadership , particularly the emergence and effectiveness of leadership across cultures. Her work explores cross-cultural psychology in organizational settings, examining how cultural values influence managerial practices and employee behavior. She has made significant contributions to understanding the work-family interface , investigating how individuals manage competing demands across different cultural contexts. Her research on cultural intelligence has provided valuable insights into how individuals and organizations can navigate cultural differences effectively. Professor Aycan's work often takes a global perspective, with studies spanning multiple countries to identify both universal patterns and cultural variations in organizational behavior. Her extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on leadership phenomena, with recent work exploring concepts like leadership reluctance, worries about leadership, and green leadership. Professor Aycan's research often bridges theoretical insights with practical applications for global organizations. TÜBİTAK Science Award (2014) Gordon Allport Intergroup Relations Award (2012) Outstanding Achievement Award (2011) Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2008) TÜBA Outstanding Young Scientist Award (2003) TÜBA Incentive Award (2001) Professor Aycan has supervised numerous graduate students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Her research has been supported by various national and international funding bodies, enabling her to conduct large-scale cross-cultural studies. She has led significant collaborative projects like Project 3535, which examined the work-family interface across multiple countries. As a prominent figure in cross-cultural organizational psychology, Professor Aycan has contributed to establishing research networks and collaborative initiatives that connect scholars across different cultural contexts. Her work has helped shape the field of cross-cultural management and organizational behavior, particularly in non-Western contexts.
