Hello! I’m Cansu Akan, a higher education professional and researcher with 15+ years’ experience in curriculum design, teacher education, accreditation, and academic leadership. I thrive at the intersection of pedagogy and technology, leading digital language-learning initiatives and quality assurance projects across institutions, and I enjoy building collaborative teams that raise learning outcomes. Currently I’m a Research Associate at TU Chemnitz, where I teach Applied Linguistics and Research Methods, coordinate Erasmus programs, and guide end-to-end instructional design projects using the ADDIE framework. I also lead department communications as a content creator and social media outreach coordinator, and I continue to contribute to international collaboration and innovation in language education.

Cansu Akan

Hello! I’m Cansu Akan, a higher education professional and researcher with 15+ years’ experience in curriculum design, teacher education, accreditation, and academic leadership. I thrive at the intersection of pedagogy and technology, leading digital language-learning initiatives and quality assurance projects across institutions, and I enjoy building collaborative teams that raise learning outcomes. Currently I’m a Research Associate at TU Chemnitz, where I teach Applied Linguistics and Research Methods, coordinate Erasmus programs, and guide end-to-end instructional design projects using the ADDIE framework. I also lead department communications as a content creator and social media outreach coordinator, and I continue to contribute to international collaboration and innovation in language education.

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Cansu Akan, a higher education professional and researcher with 15+ years’ experience in curriculum design, teacher education, accreditation, and academic leadership. I thrive at the intersection of pedagogy and technology, leading digital language-learning initiatives and quality assurance projects across institutions, and I enjoy building collaborative teams that raise learning outcomes.

Currently I’m a Research Associate at TU Chemnitz, where I teach Applied Linguistics and Research Methods, coordinate Erasmus programs, and guide end-to-end instructional design projects using the ADDIE framework. I also lead department communications as a content creator and social media outreach coordinator, and I continue to contribute to international collaboration and innovation in language education.

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Language

English
Fluent
Turkish
Fluent
German
Intermediate

Work Experience

Content Creator & Social Media Outreach Coordinator at Chemnitz University of Technology – English and Digital Linguistics
June 1, 2024 - Present
Design and implement departmental digital communications strategy; manage content development and engagement across platforms; coordinate cross-functional teams for edtech and learning projects.
Research Associate (Teaching & Research) at Chemnitz University of Technology – English and Digital Linguistics
June 1, 2024 - Present
Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Applied Linguistics and Research Methods; Erasmus Coordinator; manage ADDIE-based instructional design lifecycle; lead a mobile gamified learning application project; serve as Department Content Creator and Social Media Outreach Coordinator; participate in scholarship evaluation and research initiatives.
Assistant Director in Charge of Academic Affairs at Boğaziçi University – School of Foreign Languages
August 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024
Managed day-to-day operations for a School serving 2,500 students; oversaw faculty, student services, budgeting, accommodation, and meetings; supervised 182 teachers and 31 administrative staff; led EAQUALS accreditation, established four new units, and directed major digital transformations including website redesign and cloud QA/document sharing platform; supported disaster response and student counseling in 2023.
Content Developer & Trainer (Freelance) at Cambridge University ESOL Teaching Qualifications
August 1, 2015 - Present
Devised teacher development workshops, delivered CELTA courses worldwide; founded and managed two CELTA centers; trained over 900 teachers; materials design and external assessment.
Merit in ELT Terminology and Practice at International House London
March 1, 2013 - April 30, 2014
Completed Merit in ELT Terminology and Practice; dissertation on Needs Analysis, Curriculum and Materials Design.
Testing and Assessment Unit Coordinator, ESL/EAP Test Writer & EAP Instructor at Boğaziçi University – School of Foreign Languages
February 1, 2013 - August 1, 2022
Coordinated a team of 7 test writers ensuring CEFR alignment, reliability, standardization, and statistical validity; collaborated with the Turkish National Centre for Assessment (ÖSYM); organized and chaired the 1st International ELT Conference; developed online testing procedures and trained staff and candidates.
English Language Instructor at Istanbul Bilgi University – English Language Programs
February 1, 2009 - February 1, 2013
Taught general language skills across CEFR levels; developed CEFR-mapped curricula; designed professional English courses and materials; conducted in-service teacher training.
English Language Instructor at American Culture Language Schools
September 1, 2007 - February 28, 2009
Taught English across all levels and ages; prepared students for TOEFL/IELTS; delivered onsite and private lessons; contributed to materials development.

Education

B.A. English Language and Literature at Ege University
September 1, 2003 - June 30, 2007
CELTA – Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults at International Training Institute (ITI)
August 1, 2009 - December 10, 2025
PhD Candidate, English and Digital Linguistics at Technische Universität Chemnitz (TU Chemnitz)
September 1, 2024 - December 10, 2025
Senior Year Erasmus Exchange at University of Oviedo
September 1, 2006 - May 31, 2007

Qualifications

M.A., English Studies (Applied Linguistics & TEFL)
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
DELTA – Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
CELTA – Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
August 1, 2009 - December 10, 2025
Delta – Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
January 11, 2030 - December 10, 2025
Cambridge University ESOL Teaching Qualifications
August 1, 2015 - December 10, 2025
Leadership and Conflict Management — EAQUALS
May 4, 2023 - May 7, 2023
Certificate in ELT Management and Leadership — TESOL International US
April 1, 2023 - April 30, 2023
Mindfulness in Education (MiE) Certificate
October 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023
IH Certificate in Online Tutoring
March 1, 2016 - March 31, 2016
PhD Candidate, English and Digital Linguistics
September 1, 2024 - December 10, 2025

Industry Experience

Education, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet