Derin Ozlem Atalay is Director of the Liberal Arts Action Lab, a community-based research partnership between Trinity College and CT State Community College Capital, and a Lecturer in Public Policy and Law at Trinity College. Derin holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Action Lab before joining the Trinity faculty.

Derin’s research focuses on civic participation in urban planning and local decision-making processes, with comparative attention to urban contexts in Turkey and the United States. At the Action Lab, Derin leads collaborative, community-engaged research projects with students, faculty, and local organizations on topics such as housing justice and environmental equity. Derin has participated in co-teaching opportunities with community partners to integrate public scholarship and shared knowledge production into the classroom.

In teaching, Derin encourages students to view course content as a lens to understand cities and their roles within them. Drawing on a background in urban planning, real estate, and international experience, Derin supports students in developing critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding of urban issues.

Derin earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Istanbul Technical University, respectively, and holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University.

curriculum vitae