Science and Technology Communication Research Cluster

About us

The Science and Technology Communication Research Cluster focuses on generating knowledge about the changes, implications, and consequences of innovative technology design – and how this is used in organizations, organizational ecosystems, the economy, businesses, and society at large. 

This is a highly cross-disciplinary and inclusive area, encompassing both the private and public sectors.  We have twenty active members, with colleagues from across different Departments and Faculties at Middlesex, as well as from national and international institutions. Our goal is to enhance synergy among members through grant bids, joint publications, impact case studies, and the integration of research into curriculum development.

Our aim is to enhance knowledge and understanding of technological innovation design and implementation, as well as organizational requirements for adoption and transformation. We support organizations in sensing technological opportunities, identifying internal barriers, designing their desired futures, understanding implementation requirements, and managing the transformation needed to maximize benefits across economic, societal, and environmental aspects.

The STC cluster takes a holistic and multidisciplinary perspective, moving beyond specific technologies and systems to address the long-term and interconnected process through which social, organizational, and technical elements evolve and influence each other and the broader context.

Our research

Examples of research projects undertaken by the STC Cluster include:

• Knowledge sharing in Turkish health forums: developing a decision support system to tackle the epidemic dissemination of pseudo-scientific claims, with Dr. E. Usenmez (Istanbul University), Dr. Onar and Oztaysi (Istanbul Technical University), and Dr. Apaydin (Istanbul Bilgi University). Funded by Newton Advanced Fellowship, The British Academy. September 2018 – August 2023, £72,239 secured
• Measuring quantitative impact of utilising an open social innovation platform in enhancing science literacy of pupils. Funded by Middlesex University Research Facilitation Fund (RFF), January 2023- July 2023
• Encouraging young education volunteers in Turkey to put their creative ideas in science teaching. Funded by Middlesex University Research Facilitation Fund (RFF), November 2021- July 2022, £1000 secured
• Individual action through social organisations, with Prof. H. Barkema (PI, LSE). Funded by ERC Advanced Grant, European Research Council. September 2016 – October 2019, €3,000,000 secured
• Open social innovation platform system design for encouraging young education volunteers to put their creative ideas in science teaching project. Funded by Newton Institutional Links, British Council. April 2016 – September 2018, £84,957 secured
• Get Together Without Barriers Project, with Prof. Ahmet Suerdem (Istanbul Bilgi University). Funded by Urban Europe Joint Programming Initiative. September 2012 – September 2015, €200,000 secured

Postgraduate research

The Science and Technology Communication Research Cluster welcomes applications for Doctoral study on all aspects of innovative technology design and its societal use.  Current areas where we would particularly welcome applications include:

• how technological advancements affect workplace bullying (contact Dr. Soylu on [email protected])
• employee engagement in the new world of work or new work arrangements (contact Dr. Tufan on [email protected])

Currently supervised research students

• Mrs. Lulu Baddar- Supervised by Dr. Soylu and Dr. Azizzadeh
• Mrs. Hosna Yasin- Supervised by Dr. Soylu and Dr. Payne
• Mrs. Neelofer Mashood- Supervised by Dr. Tufan
• Mrs. Mahnoush Gharehdash- Supervised by Dr. Shukla and Dr. Javanmardi Kashan

Recently completed DProf

Mr. Russ Lewis-- Supervised by Dr. Javanmardi Kashan and Prof. Maguire

Outputs

• Javanmardi Kashan, A., Mohannak, K. and de Oliveira, R. 2023. Exploring microfoundations and multilevel mechanisms of absorptive capacity in an emerging economy: empirical evidence from a leading car manufacturer  Journal of Management & Organization. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2023.20
• Lay, J., Wiewiora, A., Javanmardi Kashan, A. and Bradley, L. 2022. Operationalising a process model of innovation for the mining industry. ResourcesPolicy. 79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102988
• Javanmardi Kashan, A. and Wiewiora, A. 2022. Methodological alignment in qualitative research of organisational culture. in: Newton, C. and Knight, R. (ed.) Handbook of Research Methods for Organisational Culture Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 108-125
• Javanmardi Kashan, A., Lay, J., Wiewiora, A. and Bradley, L. 2022. The innovation process in mining: integrating insights from innovation and change management. Resources Policy. 76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102575
• Javanmardi Kashan, A., Wiewiora, A. and Mohannak, K. 2021. Unpacking organisational culture for innovation in Australian mining industry. Resources Policy. 73, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102149
• Soylu, S., Usenmez, E. (2023). “Knowledge sharing in Turkish health forums: developing a decision support system to tackle the epidemic dissemination of pseudo-scientific claims” Newton Advanced Fellowship final project report, The British Academy

Our partners

Working collaboratively is central to the work of the Science and Technology Communication Research Cluster. Key partners include:

• Prof. Sezi Onar, Prof. Basar Oztaysi, Istanbul Technical University, Department of Industrial Engineering
• Prof. Harry Barkema, LSE, Department of Management
• Prof. Ahmet Suerdem, Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of Business Administration
• Dr. Daghan Gökdel, Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Dr. Emek Usenmez, Istanbul University, School of Foreign Languages
• Mrs. Fusun Ozatav, Turkish Alzheimer Association

Events

• End of Project Conference, Knowledge Sharing in Turkish Health Forums, August 2023, Hilton Bomonti, Istanbul, Turkey  Findings of our completed Newton Advanced Fellowship project were presented during the event at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti. Keynote speakers included Gaye Usluer, MP, and Professors Basar Oztaysi and Sezi Onar from Istanbul Technical University. A total of 40 participants attended, including key figures such as Mrs. Oznur Sarıahmetoglu, Director of Social Services at the Municipality of Sisli, Istanbul, and representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Health.
• Science Popularisation: A Comprehensive Review. Suerdem, AK, Soylu, S., Usenmez, E., Dogruer, N. won the best paper award at the 7th International Entrepreneurship Social Sciences Congress. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 20-22 June 2022.
• Round table discussion with Prof. Demirci and Dr. Aydogmus, Middlesex University, London, UK Prof. Ali Demirci of Istanbul Bilgi University and Dr. Yasemin Aydogmus talked about health literacy differences between the UK and Turkey and the importance of sustaining communication among laypersons and health practitioners to increase health literacy, and issues relating to data protection and information governance in healthcare.
• Westminster Debate with Prof. Usluer MP, October 23, 2019, Houses of Parliament, London, UK Co-organised with the Centre for Turkey Studies (CEFTUS), this event in the Houses of Parliament on "Public Health Practices in Turkey" was led by Prof. Gaye Usluer, who noted the importance of our British Academy Newton Advanced Fellowship funded project Knowledge sharing in Turkish health forums, in responding to current health practice issues in Turkey.

Our staff

• Dr. Soydan Soylu (Co-Cluster Lead)
• Dr. Alireza Javanmardi Kashan (Co-Cluster Lead)
• Dr. Satkeen Azizzadeh
• Dr. Pinar Tufan
• Dr. Mobashar Rehman
• Dr. Nicola Payne

Get in touch

Dr. Soydan Soylu - [email protected]
Dr. Alireza Javanmardi Kashan - [email protected]