Delegate: Gökçe Yılmaz Akdoğan
Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University
Short Bio: I am an assistant professor of psychology since 2019. I have done my PhD under the supervision of Karyn France and Neville Blampied at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand on the relationship between infant attachment quality and the effects of behavioral sleep interventions. I run a lab called Sleep Behaviours Research Group with my undergraduate and masters students who are interested in studying on behavioural aspects of sleep in infants and in university students.
Activity: Under the leadership of Assist. Prof. Dr. Gökçe Yılmaz Akdoğan, a faculty member of the Department of Psychology at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) and a member of the WSS delegation, two events were organized on campus in collaboration with the Faculties of Arts and Sciences, Medicine, and Health Sciences at EMU.
A workshop titled “How Can You Prioritize Your Baby’s Sleep Health?” was held at the Healthy Living Center Activity Hall with the active and intensive participation of parents with infants aged 0-2. In this workshop, Ebru Azak, a master’s student in General Psychology at EMU and a psychologist, provided families with information about sleep hygiene. Assist. Prof. Dr. Zehra Güçhan Topçu, a faculty member of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at EMU, informed the families about infant massage techniques.
Additionally, a seminar was conducted for EMU students in collaboration with the EMU Psychology Students Club. In this seminar, Sıla Balkır, a third-year student in the Psychology Department, gave a brief presentation on the topic “What is Sleep and Why is Quality Sleep Important?”. Following this, Assist. Prof. Dr. Deniz Atalar, a faculty member of the Department of Psychology at EMU, shared valuable insights on the significant relationship between sleep and driving skills in traffic. Assist. Prof. Dr. Amber Eker, a faculty member of the Faculty of Medicine at EMU, provided important information on the symptoms and treatments of restless leg syndrome. Finally, Assist. Prof. Dr. Gökçe Yılmaz Akdoğan gave practical advice to students on how they can prioritize their sleep health by improving sleep hygiene.
Location: Eastern Mediterranean University Campus, Famagusta, North Cyprus
Date of Activity: 14.03.2025
Submitted by: Gökçe Yılmaz Akdoğan
