EDUCATION

University of Nottingham, Ph.D, July 2022 Centre for Research in Human Flourishing, School of Education
Supervisor: Prof. Stephen Joseph
Dissertation Title: An Examination of the Structural Properties and Constructive Aspects of Authenticity: A Reconsideration of Carl Rogers’ Personality Theory

University of East London, M.Sc, November 2014 Applied Positive Psychology, School of Psychology (Degree with distinction)
Supervisor: Dr. Tim Lomas
Thesis Title: Difficulties Generating Self-compassion: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Bogaziçi University, B.A, June 2012 Philosophy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Koç University Academic and Life Skills (ALIS) Program (December 2019 - Present)
Instructor
Delivers ALIS 100 (Academic and Life Skills course), which is designed to support freshmen to develop skill-set for academic, personal, and professional life such as stress management, goal-setting, time management, effective communication, self-regulation.
Co-teaches ALIS 360 (Next Generation Leadership course), which is designed to equip junior/senior students with a variety of leadership competencies (i.e., working effectively in teamwork, adopting shared leadership, overcoming fear of failure) that will play fundamental roles in their professional career ahead.
Co-teaches ALIS 350 (Transition to Professional Life course), which supports students to improve several competencies by conducting a project, before their professional career launched out including emotional intelligence, decision-making, problem solving, creativity, conflict management, authenticity and healthy boundaries at work.
Gives seminars and workshops to students on mindfulness and self-compassion for helping them to develop self-awareness, establish daily meditation practices, cultivate a compassionate approach towards themselves and their environment and improve personal well-being.
Networks with several departments of the university including the Office of International Programs, Freshmen Advising, and Communications Office with the aim of giving educational support and delivering specialized seminars.
Collaborates with Anatolian Scholarships Program and contributes to student selection process.
Offers office hours to students, provides consultancy on several issues with regards to their academic skills, future professional paths and directs them to related departments if necessary.
Takes part in the working group created to redesign the Dean of Students Office, taking into account the well-being of students.
Serves on the Disciplinary Investigation Committee.

The School of Life Istanbul (February 2015 - February 2022) Instructor
Created training content and conducted workshops for corporate firms and general audience on the following subjects:
-How to manage perfectionism?
-How to cultivate self-compassion?
-Mindfulness
-How to embrace vulnerability?

TezgahçIlar (March 2016 - October 2020) Instructor
Conducted workshops on emotional intelligence for the general audience.

Koç University Guidance and Psychological Services Center (KURES) (March 2016-April 2019)
Instructor
Designed and conducted long-term workshops on self-compassion.
Measured the effectiveness of workshops via empirical questionnaires and reported them.

Bogaziçi University Guidance and Psychological Counselling Center (BUREM) (December 2014 – December 2015)
Instructor
Designed and conducted long-term workshops on self-compassion.
Measured the effectiveness of workshops via empirical questionnaires and reported them.

The Spinal Cord Paralytics Association of Turkey (TOFD) (April 2012 - May 2013)
Project Assistant
Prepared drafts on project management flow and made execution plans according to timelines, resource requirements, budgets and potential partners.
Made literature research to prepare well-designed projects for grants.
Wrote projects according to the frame of grant announcements.
Contacted potential stakeholders for the execution of the projects. Some projects: Grundtvig-Missing Link (worked as a project manager), Leonardo Da Vinci- Employment for Everyone (worked as a project assistant), İstanbul Development Agency- Barrier-free Designers (worked as a project assistant), Bio Mechanics (worked as a project assistant).

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
The Foundation for Children with Leukemia (LOSEV) (March 2009- June 2009)
Part-time Instructor

The Hope Foundation for Children with Cancer (KAÇUV) (August 2011- March 2012) Part-time Instructor

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Psychology of authenticity
Mindfulness, mindfulness-based practices
Compassion
Person-centred approach
Positive psychology

PUBLICATIONS
Toper,A., Sellman, E., & Joseph, S. (2023). The prosocial and pro-environmental aspects of authenticity and the mediating role of self-transcendence, Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2023.2255634. • Toper, A., Sellman, E., & Joseph, S. (2022). The confluence of authenticity and mindfulness: Principal component analysis of the Authenticity Scale and the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire.The Humanistic Psychologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000304 • BayIr-Toper, A., Sellman, E. & Joseph, S. (2022). Being yourself for the ‘greater good’: An empirical investigation of the moderation effect of authenticity between self-compassion and compassion for others. Current Psychology,41, 4871-4884. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-020-00989-6 • Toper, A., Sellman, E., & Joseph, S. (2022). Examining the structure of authenticity: A factor analytic study of the Authenticity Scale and Authenticity Inventory Subscales. The Humanistic Psychologist, 50(2), 304–319. • BayIr, A., & Lomas, T. (2016). Difficulties generating self-compassion: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 4(1),15-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00989-6

MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW
Toper, A., Sellman, E., & Joseph, S. (under review). Are Mindful People More Forgiving Because They Are More Authentic? An Empirical Evidence From Turkish Population

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Toper, A., Joseph, S., & Sellman, E. (2019). The Socially Constructive Roles of Humanistic Education. Poster presented at THE (Towards Higher Education) Conference: Teaching for a Better World in the 21ST Century, Bogaziçi University, 27-28 September 2019.

Toper, A., Joseph, S., & Sellman, E. (2019). Exploring the Relationships Between Authenticity and Mindfulness: A Factor Analysis. Oral presention at Third Eurasian Congress on Positive Psychology, Üsküdar University, 12-14 April 2019.

Toper, A., Joseph, S., & Sellman, E. (2019). Conceptual Investigation of Humanistic Education: Discovering the Relationship Between Authenticity and Forgiveness Through Partial Correlation Analysis. Poster presented at Post-Graduation Research Conference: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Nottingham, 13-14 November 2019.

Toper, A., Joseph, S., & Sellman, E. (2018). Exploring the Relationships Between Authenticity and Mindfulness: A Factor Analysis. Poster presented at Post Graduation Research Conference: Education Research: What Contribution Can We Make?, University of Nottingham, 15-16 November 2018.

Toper, A., Joseph, S., & Sellman, E. (2018). Exploring the Relationships Between Authenticity and Mindfulness: A Factor Analysis. Poster presented at The 17th Annual School of Education Doctoral Research Conference, University of Birmingham, 24 November 2018.

Bayır, A., & Lomas, T. (2016). Difficulties generating self-compassion: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Poster presented at The Compassionate Mind Foundation Conference: Compassion: Integrating
Body, Mind, Culture, Manchester, 19
-21 October 2016.

ARTICLES
Bayır-Toper, A. (2020). Yolda yürümek için kendimize dönmeliyiz, Pozitif Yaşam: Mindfulness. • BayIr-Toper, A. (2018). Yaşamdan aldIgmIz tatmin stresi azaltIr, Psychologies. https://www.pilioo.com/2018/10/30/yasamdan-aldigimiz-tatmin-stresi-azaltir/ • BayIr, A. (2015). Hep bir şeylerin peşinde koşmak zorunda değiliz, Milliyet. https://www.milliyet.com.tr/pazar/hep-bir-seylerin-pesinde-kosmak-zorunda-degiliz-2106191 • BayIr, A. (2014). BaşkalarInIn hayatIna dokunun, Esquire.

CONTINUING EDUCATION & TRAINING

Reading Academic Literature, University of Nottingham, October 2018.

Thinking Theoretically About Research in Education, University of Nottingham, October 2018. • Intro to Statistics with SPSS, University of Nottingham, November 2018.

The Creative Toolbox: Applying Creative Tools to Teaching and Learning, University of Nottingham, November 2018.

Creating, Using and Evaluating Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks for Inquiry, University of Nottingham, November 2018.

Putting a Literature Review Together, University of Nottingham, November 2018.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Bangor University, January 2017.

Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive by Dr. Chris Germer and Dr. Kristin Neff, Center For Mindful Self-Compassion, Amsterdam, July 2017.

Search Inside Yourself - Public Programs by Deiric McCan & Vasco Gaspar, Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI), Dublin, September 2016.

Mindfulness in Organisations and Leadership Teams- Masterclass in Mindfulness by Chris Tamdjidi & Tessa Watt, The Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, Oxford, February 2016.

Clinical Skills / Advanced Training of Compassion-Focused Therapy by Prof. Paul Gilbert, The Compassionate Mind Foundation, University of Derby, Derby, February2015. • Mindful Self-

Compassion: Core Skills Training by Dr. Kristin Neff, Centrum voor Mindfulness, Amsterdam, October 2014.

Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy by Prof. Paul Gilbert, Stockholm Academy for Psychotherapy, Stockholm, April 2014. Empathy and Compassion in Society Conference, London, October 2013.

Project Cycle Management, Istanbul Development Agency, Istanbul, November 2012. • Human Rights and Disability, Family and Social Affairs Ministry, Istanbul, December 2012. • International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Disabled People Foundation, Istanbul, December 2012.

Transpersonal Psychology- Basic Concepts, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology & Psychiatry, Istanbul, December 2012.

SEMINARS / TRAININGS DELIVERED
For Companies:
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion at Work, Akbank, February 2018.
Mindful Compassion, YapI Kredi, September 2017.
Mindfulness at Work, 3M, June 2017.
Mindfulness at Work and Compassionate Communication, Bosch, March 2017.
Mindfulness at Work, Unilever, April 2016.
Mindfulness at Work, Pfizer, February 2016.
Mindfulness Practices in Daily Life, Kanyon Shopping Mall Administration, January 2016.
Cultivating Self-Compassion, Danone Nutricia, September 2015.
Mindfulness in Daily Life, Sahibinden.com, May 2015.
For Organizations:
Mindfulness, Global Learning and Leadership for Sustainability, March 2024.
The Constructive Aspects of Authenticity from the Perspective of the Person-centred Approach, University of Nottingham- Centre for Research in Human Flourishing, February 2024.
Discovering Your Authentic Self, KU-SIGN Neuroscience Festival, February 2024
Communication & Problem Solving, Koç University Office of International Programs, February 2024.
Mentoring Training, Koç University Graduate School of Business, December 2023.
Communication & Problem Solving, Koç University Office of International Programs, September, 2023
Introduction to Mindfulness, Global Learning and Leadership for Sustainability, May 2023.
Photography and Mindfulness, Koç University, KU-Gather, Co-teach with Laleper Aytek, May 2023
Communication with Students After Social Trauma, Koç University Student Housing Directive, May 2023.
The Scientific Power of Mindfulness on Balancing Psychological Stress, İzmir Institute of Technology, April 2023.
Take Care of Yourself: The Role of Self-Compassion and Resilience on Psychological Stress, Koç University KU-Gather, Co-teach with Pınar Özbek, March 2023.
Introduction to Mindfulness, Neuroscience Fest, KU-Sign: Koc University Student Interest Group in Neurology and Neuorological Sciences, March 2022.
The Psychological Influence of Pandemic on Daily Life, Future Reaction’20, Koç University American Institute of Chemical Engineers, November 2020.
Following Your Inner Compass: Authenticity, Future Skills Fest, Koç University & Fow Connect, October 2020.
Self-compassion, Psychology Days, Koç University Psychology Club, March 2019.
Communicating with Ourselves in the Light of Compassion and Mindfulness, Istanbul Gelişim University Psychology Club, April 2017.
Introduction to Mindfulness, Impact Hub Istanbul, April 2017.
Introduction to Mindfulness, Turkish Entrepreneurship Foundation, March 2017.
The Scientific and Healing Power of Compassion in Education, 7. Basic Education Symposium, Private Schools Association of Turkey, December 2016.
Compassion-Focused Therapy, Psychology Days, Bahçeşehir University Psychology Club, November 2016. • Compassionate Leadership, Department of Management, Boğaziçi University, October 2016.
Compassion as a Scientific Therapy Method, Bilgi Psychology Days, İstanbul Bilgi University Psychology Club, April 2016.
Self-compassion, Psychology Days, Istanbul Medipol University Psychology Club, February 2016.
A Path to Happiness: Volunteerism, Okan University, December 2015. • Self-compassion, Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Boğaziçi University, April 2015.
AWARDS
TUBITAK Undergraduate Basic Science Scholarships (Students among the first 5000 in the General University Entrance Examination) (2006-2011)
The Second European Edition of the Discover e-volunteering Competition by Good Network Foundation and Fundacja Orange (Third Place, 2013)
Recognized as the best faculty of the semester by Koc University students (2020,2021)

REFERENCES
Stephen Joseph, Ph.D, School of Education at University of Nottingham, stephen.joseph@nottingham.ac.uk
Tim Lomas, Ph.D, Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, tlomas@hsph.harvard.edu
Elvan Omay, The School of Life Istanbul, elvan@l1engage.com