Ipek Türeli is Assistant Professor in the Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture at McGill, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Architectures of Spatial Justice. Her research explores the role of architecture in the articulation, mediation, and negotiation of political selves, and recognizes not only the agency of the built environment but also of architects. She is interested in how architects can use their professional knowledge to advocate for justice, a topic that has received relatively little attention. Professor Türeli’s current research spans the full range of social engagement in the profession, from the longer history of humanitarian architecture, such as that of religious missionaries, to more recent efforts by contemporary designers to contribute to social movements. Her work supports a new generation of architects interested in social justice by building on the profession’s history in this realm, as well as the discipline’s record of urban advocacy. Her publications include Istanbul Open City (Routledge, 2017), and her teaching at McGill has explored challenges faced in refugee communities.
Ipek Türeli
