Research interests

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What are the origins of the social bonds humans form with others - even strangers - from young ages onwards? How do we communicate that we love or trust people without saying a word, using our bodies? And how can social connections enhance mental health and wellbeing?

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My research aims to answer these questions from a developmental, social, cognitive and evolutionary lens using methods of experimental psychology and anthropology.

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I work with partners ranging from local dance and sports organisations to government departments to evaluate programmes and consult on policy.

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Brief bio

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Dr Tunçgenç is a faculty member at Nottingham Trent University and a research affiliate at the University of Oxford.

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She studied psychology and cognitive science at the Middle East Technical University in her home country, Turkey, and completed her PhD studies at the Social Body Lab, University of Oxford. She worked as a postdoc at Johns Hopkins University and as a research fellow at the University of Nottingham.