Nurdan Emlik, alumna MA Media Studies: Digital Cultures
What was it about the MA Media Studies: Digital Cultures programme that made you think, “This is the one for me”?
Over the years, and in my current position as a Media Policy and Regulatory Affairs Specialist at the Radio and Television Supreme Council, Türkiye’s independent media regulatory authority, I have seen digitalisation rapidly reshape the media, society, and the role of regulatory authorities. I wanted to understand technology not only through legislation, but also through its social, cultural, and ethical dimensions.
What attracted me to the MSDC programme was precisely this broader perspective. It approaches technology as something shaped by society that, in turn, also transforms society. This interdisciplinary focus made me feel that the programme was the right fit for me.
My studies were made possible by the prestigious, merit-based Jean Monnet Scholarship, which is fully funded by the European Union. In the 2025 selection round, which attracted thousands of applicants, I ranked first in the public-sector category of the English-language written examination on EU law. For me, the scholarship was more than financial support: it gave me the opportunity to place my professional experience within a European and interdisciplinary context.
Could you tell us more about your internship and why you chose it?
As part of my master’s programme, I completed a Digital Economy Analyst internship at Cullen International in Brussels, which provides regulatory research on telecommunications, media, and the digital economy.
My work involved comparing digital economy, telecommunications, and technology policies across different national and regional jurisdictions, including the European Union. I analysed complex legal and technical information and turned it into clear, concise, and comparable insights.
I chose Cullen International because it offered me the opportunity to build on my regulatory expertise in an international setting. Seeing how countries respond differently to similar policy challenges has broadened my understanding of regulation. I particularly value working in a multicultural team and seeing how research can support real-world decision-making.
Looking back, what did you learn during your studies that helps you in your career or personal life today?
One of the most valuable things the programme taught me was how to ask better questions about technology. I now consider not only what a technology does, but also who develops it, which values it reflects, and how it may affect different groups in society.
Problem-Based Learning strengthened my ability to listen to different perspectives, communicate clearly, and approach complex issues collaboratively. In my master’s thesis, I examined aural augmented reality in the context of the European Union’s digital transformation goals, bringing together academic research, policy documents, and user experiences.
Another highlight was becoming a PREMIUM Honours student. PREMIUM is an extracurricular excellence programme in which selected master’s students work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world consultancy projects. As part of the programme, I worked as a consultant on a project to redesign the learning spaces at Maastricht University Library.
Could you tell us more about your current career?
I have more than fourteen years of professional experience in the public sector. I began my career at a government institution in the defence sector, where I worked for over six years. I later joined the independent media regulatory authority, where I have held a specialist position for more than eight years.
My role involves assessing media service providers’ compliance with national legislation and international obligations, preparing regulatory analyses, and providing expert input to support decision-making. I also wrote my professional expertise thesis on the regulation of commercial communications in audiovisual media.
What I enjoy most is connecting law and policy with their wider impact on technology, the media sector, and society. Looking ahead, I want to build on this experience in a more international and strategic role, supporting cross-border policy research and discussions in areas such as media regulation, AI governance, and digital platforms. My goal is to combine the perspective of a regulator with comparative policy analysis to help shape clear and practical responses to emerging technological challenges.
What is your fondest memory from your time in Maastricht as a FASoS student?
One of my fondest memories is presenting the progress of our PREMIUM project to a large international audience. Taking the stage on behalf of my team was a memorable opportunity to represent our work, find my own voice, and challenge myself professionally.
My experience in Maastricht was also shaped by classes at FASoS, conversations that continued after group work, friendships with people from different countries, and the everyday life of the city. Maastricht is one of those rare places where different cultures come together, while you can still feel completely at home.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your time in Maastricht or at FASoS?
Bringing my regulatory experience into conversation with digital cultures and comparative policy analysis has expanded both my understanding of technological change and what I can contribute to it. This journey has further fuelled my curiosity and deepened my interest in the connections between regulation, technology, and society. It has also strengthened my commitment to contributing to well-informed and responsible policy responses that take the real-world social impact of technological change into account.
Graduation year: 2026