About Us
For a Culturally Sustainable Future
We believe that every family’s story is a bridge between the past, present, and future. We are dedicated to empowering migrant families to preserve their cultural heritage and identity through the transformative power of storytelling.
Migration is more than a physical journey—it is an emotional and cultural experience that shapes families across generations. While navigating new environments, many families face the challenge of staying connected to their roots. Our mission is to help families overcome these challenges by turning their personal narratives into tools for cultural sustainability.
This initiative is built on a strong foundation of research and innovation. We explore how storytelling can be a practical, pedagogical tool for migrant parents to foster cultural connections within their families. Through interactive workshops and collaborative learning experiences, we guide parents on how to share age-appropriate stories that reflect their heritage and values, ensuring that the next generation grows up with a strong sense of identity and belonging.
By working closely with families who have migrated to countries like the United Kingdom, we investigate the ways migration stories are told, preserved, and passed on. Our workshops provide parents with the tools to transform their stories into powerful learning experiences, helping children internalize their cultural roots naturally and meaningfully.
Our vision is to create a world where migrant stories are celebrated, cultural identities are preserved, and families feel empowered to thrive in their new environments without losing their connection to their heritage.
We invite you to join us in this journey of storytelling, cultural sustainability, and connection. Together, we can weave the narratives that unite generations and inspire futures.
A Funded Research in Cultural Studies
This project is an innovative research initiative supported by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) under its 3005 Research Grant Program for Innovative Solutions in Social and Humanities Sciences. It focuses on addressing the challenges faced by migrant families in preserving their cultural identity and heritage in the context of migration and globalization.
Funded by TÜBİTAK, the project explores a groundbreaking approach that combines life-storytelling and pedagogical tools to promote cultural sustainability among migrant families. Through this research, we aim to bridge the generational gap in migrant communities by empowering parents to share their migration stories and cultural heritage with their children in meaningful and engaging ways. By utilizing storytelling as a tool for identity-building and education, this project pioneers a practical and sustainable method to strengthen cultural ties within families.
The project is especially innovative in its interdisciplinary approach, merging insights from cultural studies, migration studies, sociology, and education. It introduces creative and age-appropriate storytelling techniques that migrant parents can easily adopt in their daily lives, fostering a deeper connection between parents, children, and their shared cultural heritage.
We are proud to collaborate with TÜBİTAK in advancing knowledge and creating practical solutions in the realm of cultural studies and migration. This initiative not only contributes to the academic field but also provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners working with diaspora communities.
our survey
Why Should You Take Our Survey?
Your voice matters!
If you currently live in the UK and have moved there from TURKIYE, take our survey.
By taking our survey, you will contribute to an innovative research project funded by TÜBİTAK that aims to empower migrant families and promote cultural sustainability.
Your insights and experiences will help us:
- Understand Your Story: Help us explore how migration stories are shared within families and how they shape cultural identity.
- Create Practical Solutions: Your input will directly contribute to the development of practical tools and workshops designed to support migrant parents in preserving their cultural heritage.
- Shape Future Policies: Your responses will inform evidence-based recommendations for policymakers working on diaspora and migration-related issues.
- Support Generational Connections: Together, we can strengthen the ties between generations by fostering storytelling practices that celebrate cultural roots.
By participating, you are not just answering questions—you are becoming part of a movement to preserve cultural identity and create lasting change.
OUR WORKSHOPS
We believe in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures, create connections, and preserve heritage. Our workshops are designed to help migrant parents effectively share their cultural stories with their children, fostering a sense of identity, belonging, and pride in their roots. These workshops are tailored to be both practical and engaging, offering participants the tools they need to incorporate cultural sustainability into their daily lives.
What We Offer
Our workshops are designed with one clear goal in mind: to empower migrant families to use storytelling as a pedagogical tool for cultural preservation. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and expert guidance, participants will learn how to share their migration stories and cultural traditions with their children in meaningful ways.
Key Features of Our Workshops:
- Age-Appropriate Storytelling: Learn how to adapt your family’s stories to different age groups, making them engaging and relatable for children.
- Cultural Sustainability Techniques: Discover simple yet effective methods to incorporate cultural teachings into everyday life, from daily rituals to holiday celebrations.
- Interactive Learning: Participate in group activities, role-playing, and creative exercises that enhance your storytelling skills and help you feel confident in sharing your cultural heritage.
- Peer Support: Connect with other migrant parents, share experiences, and build a community that supports cultural sustainability.
- Practical Takeaways: Walk away with practical strategies, including a toolkit of storytelling techniques that you can easily integrate into your home life.
Our Workshop Topics Include:
- Cultural Storytelling as a Pedagogical Tool: The importance of storytelling in preserving cultural identity and teaching children about their heritage.
- Building Narrative Identity: How sharing personal and family stories helps children form a strong sense of self and belonging.
- Creating a Cultural Legacy: Tools for parents to instill cultural values, traditions, and beliefs in a way that resonates with the next generation.
- Integrating Storytelling into Daily Life: Practical tips for making storytelling a natural part of your family’s routine.
Upcoming Workshops
- Location (United Kingdom): Dates are to be announced.
Each workshop will be led by experienced facilitators who specialize in migration studies, cultural sustainability, and pedagogical methods for storytelling. Our facilitators are committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Why Attend Our Workshops?
- Preserve Your Culture: Learn how to ensure your children stay connected to their heritage, even while living in a new country.
- Empower Your Family: Strengthen family bonds by sharing stories that matter and create a sense of pride and unity within your household.
- Build a Stronger Community: By attending our workshops, you’re joining a network of like-minded families who are also committed to preserving their cultural roots.
FAQ
1. Who is the project leader?
Dr. Dikmen Yakali is the project leader. She is currently an Associated Professor and Advisor to the Rector at Izmir Institute of Technology. She has a PhD degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Birmingham and was affiliated with COMPAS, University of Oxford between 2018-2021.
Please see: https://gk.iyte.edu.tr/akademik-personel/