The Gender Equality Coordinator is the individual responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of KUGEP action items. The coordinator provides guidance and support to all stakeholders within the university on issues related to gender equality. In addition, the coordinator develops and implements collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting greater inclusivity within the institution, while also monitoring and reporting on the progress of these efforts.

The coordinator is an active member of various KU governing bodies, including the KU Coordination Committee, Koç University Quality Commission, Academic Senate, and Board of Overseers. She participates in meetings of these essential governing bodies to provide consultation and guidance on matters related to gender equality.

Behice Pehlivan holds a B.Sc. degree in Industrial Engineering from Sabancı University, and she earned master’s degrees in Visual Communication Design and Sociology and Social Anthropology from the same university and Central European University, respectively. She completed her Ph.D. degree in Sociology at Northeastern University, where she also earned a Graduate Certificate from the Graduate Consortium for Studies in Gender, Culture, Women, and Sexuality (GCWS) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She worked as a Teaching and Research Fellow at Northeastern University, and gained extensive experience in structural transformation and strategic innovation in higher education during her work as an Academic HR Partner at Sabancı University. Throughout her career, she has developed and led various projects in faculty development, academic recruitment, innovation framework, and campus climate. She is committed to promoting equality and inclusion in higher education, and strives to create accessible and equitable environments for teaching, learning, and scientific discovery.