Research

Recent Academic Publications

Learning with the Natural Environment: How Walking with Nature Can Actively Shape Creativity and Contribute to Holistic Learning. Authors: Maarit Mäkelä and Bilge Merve Aktaş. International Journal of Art & Design Education (2023).
Entangling with Materials: Crafting as a Way of Preparing Our Relationship with the Environment. Author: Bilge Merve Aktaş. In Eds. Fredsrisken B. & Groth C. Expanding Environmental Awareness in Education Through the Arts: Crafting-with the Environment. Springer. 2022.
In dialogue with the environment: The environment, creativity, materials and making. Authors: Maarit Mäkelä & Bilge Merve Aktaş. Craft Research, 13(1), 9-34. 2022. 
Human-Thing Relations in Design: A Framework Based on Postphenomenology and Material Engagement Theory. Authors: Bilge Merve Aktaş, Tuba Tok, Betül Gürteki, Harun Kaygan, Özgün Dilek, Aysegül Özçelik, Fazli Akin and Elif Büyükkeçeci. METU Journal of the Faculty of Architecture. 2022. 
Reflecting on material interactions as a way of being with the world. Authors: Bilge Merve Aktaş & Camilla Groth. In Pedgley, O., Rognoli, V. & Karana, E. Materials Experience 2: Expanding Territories of Materials and Design. Pp. 159-163. Oxford: Elsevier. 2021. 
Using Creative Practice in Interdisciplinary Education. Authors: Bilge Merve Aktaş & Camilla Groth. DRS LearnxDesign: 6th International Conference for Design Education Researchers, 2021. 
Tangled Becomings in Materialities of Felt Practice(s). Authors: Bilge Merve Aktaş & Julia Valle Noronha. Nordes 2021: Matters Of Scale, No:9 ISSN. 1604-9705, 2021. 
You Have One New Message: Knitting Intimacy for Connecting Opinions, People and the World. Author: Bilge Merve Aktaş. FormAkademisk, 2021.
Doctoral Dissertation: Entangled Fibres – An examination of human-material interaction.Aalto University, 2020. 
Negotiation between the Maker and Material: Observations on Material Interactions in Felting Studio. Authors: Bilge Merve Aktaş, Maarit Mäkelä. International Journal of Design, 2019. 

Further publications available at: ResearchGate.

Non Academic Publications

Bodies in felting as tools for travelling across time and space in Decorating Dissidence, 2022. 
A bit More to Touch an interview in Aalto Magazine, 2022
Review for the Biannual International Conference for The Craft Sciences (BICCS) Hybrid Conference, Department Of Conservation And The Craft Laboratory, Gothenburg University, Mariestad, 4–6 May 2021. Conference Review. Craft Research, 13(2), pp. 439-446
Dijitalleşme Çağında Bedensel Bilgi in XXI Design Magazine (Turkish), 2021. 
Lectio Praecursoria: Doctoral Defense opening lecture. Aalto University, 2020.
Knitted Socks from Turkey on Craft Atlas, 2020.