I am a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Virginia specializing in digital platforms, algorithmic governance, and computational cultures. My research uses multi-sited ethnography, grounded theory, and interdisciplinary social theory to examine how algorithmic recommendation systems and computational infrastructures shape cultural production, consumption, and valuation in the music industry. I also study how platform economies and technologies interact with gender inequality, drawing on feminist sociology and STS. Through my publications and conference presentations, I explore sociotechnical governance, invisible data labor, platform(ization) economies, and spatial-temporal ways markets are reassembled.

Sevde Nur Unal

I am a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Virginia specializing in digital platforms, algorithmic governance, and computational cultures. My research uses multi-sited ethnography, grounded theory, and interdisciplinary social theory to examine how algorithmic recommendation systems and computational infrastructures shape cultural production, consumption, and valuation in the music industry. I also study how platform economies and technologies interact with gender inequality, drawing on feminist sociology and STS. Through my publications and conference presentations, I explore sociotechnical governance, invisible data labor, platform(ization) economies, and spatial-temporal ways markets are reassembled.

Available to hire

I am a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Virginia specializing in digital platforms, algorithmic governance, and computational cultures. My research uses multi-sited ethnography, grounded theory, and interdisciplinary social theory to examine how algorithmic recommendation systems and computational infrastructures shape cultural production, consumption, and valuation in the music industry.

I also study how platform economies and technologies interact with gender inequality, drawing on feminist sociology and STS. Through my publications and conference presentations, I explore sociotechnical governance, invisible data labor, platform(ization) economies, and spatial-temporal ways markets are reassembled.

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Language

Turkish
Fluent
English
Advanced
Turkish
Advanced

Work Experience

Teaching Assistant at University of Virginia
August 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026
TA for SOC 3120 Research Design Workshop.
Teaching Assistant at University of Virginia
January 1, 2026 - May 1, 2026
TA for SOC 3290 Sociology of Childhood.
Research Assistant at University of Virginia (Prof. Jülide Etem)
May 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025
Conducted literature reviews in sociology and media studies for a project on gun violence and documentary film.
Teaching Assistant at University of Virginia
August 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
TA for SOC 3120 Research Design Workshop.
Teaching Assistant at University of Virginia
January 1, 2024 - May 1, 2024
TA for SOC 2320 Gender & Society.
Teaching Assistant at University of Virginia
January 1, 2023 - May 1, 2023
TA for SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology.
Teaching Assistant at University of Virginia
August 1, 2022 - May 1, 2023
TA for SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (multiple terms).
Content Producer at Colendi, Turkey
September 1, 2018 - December 1, 2020
Developed content strategies and produced digital content across web and social media channels to improve user engagement and brand communication; created marketing copy, blog content, newsletters, and social media campaigns for fintech products; conducted market and consumer research; collaborated with product, design, and marketing teams to translate complex financial concepts into user-focused content.
Research Assistant at Boğaziçi University (Prof. Zeynep Gambetti)
June 1, 2018 - August 1, 2018
Conducted a literature review for the project on post-truth era and neoliberalism in the digital age.
Research Assistant at University of Virginia / Boğaziçi University (Prof. Koray Calıskan)
February 1, 2018 - August 1, 2021
Categorized interdisciplinary academic literature (sociology, economic sociology, critical management studies) with a focus on performativity theory; analyzed and coded whitepapers from ~300 cryptocurrencies for work on blockchain-based crypto markets; contributed to syllabus revisions for Politics and Cinema by developing updated reading lists and audiovisual materials.
Research Intern at Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), Sabancı University
January 1, 2018 - March 1, 2018
Supported Mercator-IPC fellows through literature reviews, transcription, Turkish–English translation, editing, proofreading, and preparation of conference proceedings and event reports.
Student Assistant at Department of Political Science and International Relations, Boğaziçi University
September 1, 2017 - December 1, 2017
Assisted in facilitating discussion sections for an undergraduate course in political philosophy.
Student Assistant at Department of Political Science and International Relations, Boğazici University
September 1, 2017 - December 1, 2017
Assisted with facilitating discussion sections for the undergraduate course Political Philosophy.
Editorial Intern at HR Revolution Middle East Magazine
August 1, 2017 - October 1, 2017
Received training in journalism and creative writing. Reviewed academic and journalistic materials related to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Middle Eastern contexts.
Editorial Intern at HR Revolution Middle East Magazine, Egypt
August 1, 2017 - October 1, 2017
Completed training in journalism and creative writing; reviewed academic and journalistic materials on gender equality and women’s empowerment in Middle Eastern contexts.
HR Consultant Intern at Amrop, Istanbul, Turkey
June 1, 2015 - September 1, 2015
Conducted candidate sourcing and executive talent research across multiple industries to support recruitment and executive search projects; screened résumés and candidate profiles; assisted in maintaining candidate databases and preparing recruitment reports and client documentation.

Education

PhD in Sociology (Fifth Year PhD Candidate) at University of Virginia
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2027
MA in Sociology at University of Virginia
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2023
BA in Political Science and International Relations & History (Double Major) at Boğazici University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2019
PhD in Sociology (Fifth Year PhD Candidate) at University of Virginia
January 1, 2022 - May 1, 2027
MA in Sociology at University of Virginia
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
BA (Double Major) in Political Science and International Relations & History at Bogazici University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Financial Services, Software & Internet