Dr Dilek Hocaoglu

Research statement

Dilek’s primary academic interests include culture, heritage, identity and city branding. Her work focuses specifically on social design and collaboration projects. 

She has contributed to the academic community through publications in journals, conference proceedings and books. These publications cover a wide range of topics, including design education, cultural heritage, material culture and city branding.

Research outputs

Funded research project

• Integration of Virtual Reality Technologies to Sketch Process in Industrial Design Process (Funded by Gebze Technical University) (2018-2019)

Registered design

• Modular Walking Assistant (2019)
  Team: Asude Nur Sancaktutan, Dilek Hocaoglu, Berrak Karaca Salgamcioglu,
  Eser Kasapoglu Gesoglu
• Walker (2019)
  Team: Seher Naz Ayhan, Dilek Hocaoglu, Berrak Karaca Salgamcioglu, Eser
  Kasapoglu Gesoglu
• Sporty Wheelchair (2019)
  Team: Enes Cinfer, Dilek Hocaoglu, Berrak Karaca Salgamcioglu, Eser
  Kasapoglu Gesoglu
• Modular Walker (2019)
  Team: Ahmet Ergun, Dilek Hocaoglu, Berrak Karaca Salgamcioglu, Eser
  Kasapoglu Gesoglu

Book chapters

• Hocaoglu, D., (2024). The Contribution of Gastronomy Tourism to the Branding Strategy of a City. in: Bonacho, R., Coelho, A.; Pires, M.; Eidler, M.; Massari; S. 2024 (Ed.) Experiencing and Envisioning Food, Designing for Change. London: Taylor & Francis – CRC Press. ISBN 9781032479897
• Tezel, E., Hocaoglu, D., (2019) Digital Cities of Future: Home Based Technologies for Elderly, Eds: Kalinkara, V., Aging: The Truth of the New Century, 437-467, Turkey: Nobel Academic Publishing.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2016) Challenges in Promoting Cities Through Culture Within the New Global Economy, Eds: Bayraktar, A., Uslay, C., Global Place Branding Campaigns Across Cities, Regions and Nations, 229-250, USA: IGI Global.

Published papers in journals and conference proceedings

• Hocaoglu, D., Turkmenoglu Berkan, S., (2019). "The Outcomes of Collaborative Learning in Design Studio Courses", DRS Learn X Design 2019 Conference 5th International Conference for Design Education Researchers, 9-12 July 2019, METU, Ankara, Turkey. 
• Turkmenoglu Berkan, S., Hocaoglu, D., (2019) “The Integration of Virtual Reality Technologies into Design Process: Shifting Sketch towards Third Dimension”, Online Journal of Art and Design, 7 (2), 108-124.
• Hocaoglu, D., Basaytac, H., (2016). “Collaborative Work of Different Design Disciplines in a Design Project: Sogutlucesme “Hub” Project”, Online Journal of Art and Design, 4 (4), 1-14.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2016). “The Importance of Creative Industries in the Local Economy and The Contribution of Design to Creative Industries”, Planlama Journal, 25(3), 189-194.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2016). “The Blue Carpet of Newcastle”, Yapi Journal, 419, 72-75.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2016). “The Role of Design in Cultural Heritage Based City Branding of Beypazarı”, Milli Folklor, 14(109), 217-232.
• Hocaoglu, D., Cakmakcioglu, B. A., (2016) “Repositioning of a Local Brand with Design: The Case of Gulbirlik Rosense”, International Congress of Management Economy and Policy, 26-27 Nov, Istanbul, Turkey. 
• Hocaoglu, D., (2015) “Adding Value to a Company by Trilogy of Research, Craft, Design”. 11th Conference of the EAD (European Academy of Design), 22-24 April, 2015, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. 
• Hocaoglu, D., (2015). “Contribution of Group Work and Comparative Education to Students’ Learning: Analysis of Comparative Design History Course”, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences (174), 1804-1811.
• Hocaoglu, D., Akbulut, D., Himam, D., (2013) “Social and Cultural Transition of a Handcraft to a Designed Commodity: The Case of Nallihan Neddle Lacework”, 10th Conference of the EAD (European Academy of Design), 17-19 April, 2013, The University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Akbulut, D., Himam, D., Hocaoglu, D., (2013) “Re-crafting the Culture: Crafting the Gender Statements Through Circumcision and Belly Dancer Dresses”, 10th Conference of the EAD (European Academy of Design), 17-19 April, 2013, The University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Hocaoglu, D., Gunal Ertas, D., Akbulut, D. (2013) “The Changing Roles and Women in Ads Used by Electronic Kitchenware Manufacturing Sector in Turkey, Since Beginning to Present”, 5T Conference, 9-10 May 2013, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey.
• Hocaoglu, D., Er, A. (2012) “Food Culture as Cultural Heritage: SlowFood's of Cittaslow Seferihisar”, 2nd Conference of the Agrindustrial Design, 26-28 April, 2012, Izmir Univesity of Economics, Izmir, Turkey.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2010) “Carefully Selected Recycled Objects; Old Candy Bowls and New Cardboard Packages”. 4T Conference, 13-14 May, 2010, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2009) “Using Local Design Policies for City Branding”. 8th Conference of the EAD (European Academy of Design), 01-03 April, 2009, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2009) “Friend of Depression Period, Hobby of Ordinary Times: Singer Sewing Machine”, 4th National Design Symposium, 8-9 October, 2010, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
• Hocaoglu, D., (2009) “The First Metal Furniture Designs of Turkey and Ilhan Koman”, Arredamento Mimarlık: Tasarim Kulturu Dergisi, 230: 114-118.
• Ayyildiz (Hocaoglu), D., (2007) “Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing in Jewellery Sector in Turkey”. 7th Conference of the EAD, 11-13 April, 2007, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey.
• Ayyildiz (Hocaoglu), D., (2006) “Historical Development of Corporate Identity in Turkey and Arcelik’s Visual Corporate Identity”, 3rd National Design Symposium, 19-22 June, 2006, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Research supervision

Dilek is interested in hearing from research degree applicants who wish to study interdisciplinary subjects that intersects with her research subjects.