'Miracle' genius

Birtan Demirel, a graduate of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), who experienced speech disorder at the age of 8 and whose problem could not be resolved despite all his attempts, did not give up in the face of difficulties, and has written a success story that extends to the world-famous Oxford University. Demirel, who was afraid to even raise his hand to answer questions in middle and high school, proved that faith will move mountains, and became the only Turk accepted to Oxford this year to do his doctorate in the experimental psychology department. Demirel, a graduate of IUE Brand Communication Master's Program, said that he would study to find an effective solution to speech disorder in England. Demirel said, “I will try to develop experimental therapy methods by working in the speech and brain laboratory. At this stage of my career, I will focus on brain stimulating techniques that are harmless, painless and do not require surgical intervention.”

Birtan Demirel (31) from Izmir, started to stutter at the age of 8 for no reason. Birtan Demirel, who visited many doctors with his family to solve the problem, could not speak fluently despite all attempts. Demirel continued his life with the difficulties created by his speech disorder. Demirel, who defines stuttering as a different form of communication, not an inconvenience, to get rid of his reservations about speaking, managed to overcome difficulties in time. Demirel, who had a successful education life, graduated from Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Business Administration.

THE ONLY NAME FROM TURKEY

Demirel completed his master's degree in brand communication at Izmir University of Economics. After graduating from IUE, Demirel continued his academic studies in the fields of psychology and neuroscience in Italy and Germany and started to work on speech. Demirel, who gained experience in research design, programming, and neuroimaging methods in Germany, made a difference with his work. Demirel became the only Turkish person to be accepted to Oxford University in England to pursue a PhD in experimental psychology.

I WAS HESITANT TO RAISE MY HAND IN CLASS

Demirel, who is currently in England, said that he would take advantage of the doctoral period in the best way. Expressing that he is proud to study at Oxford University,  Demirel said, “In my middle school and high school years, speech disorder was a factor that compelled me. When I was in class, I was even hesitant to raise my hand and answers questions. I defined stuttering not as a disorder but as a different way of communicating to get rid of these disadvantages. I believe that defining stuttering as a different way of speaking and raising this awareness in society will help approximately 70 million people who stutter participate in life without hesitation. For example, Stephen Hawking was speaking through a computer and communicating with the world in a different way; but he was a scientist who left his mark on human history. We can build a bridge between the ideas of nearly 70 million people with speech disorder by focusing on the content of the message rather than the difference in the way of speaking.”

I STARTED IN OCTOBER

Demirel continued as follows: “After my master's degree, I was accepted to the "psychology, neuroscience and human sciences" program at University of Pavia, Italy, by winning the Almo Collegio Borromeo scholarship. While continuing my education in Italy, I performed my internship at the University Medical Center Göttingen in Germany with the Erasmus Traineeship scholarship. All this gave me experience and self-confidence. My participation in Oxford University also developed rapidly. I presented my different research ideas in the online interview. After receiving acceptance from my supervisor, I wrote a research proposal and presented to a committee from the experimental psychology department and answered their questions. I started my doctorate at Oxford University in October 2021. Studying at Izmir University of Economics also contributed to my learning to build appropriate communication bridges. My university has a big share in my success.”

I WILL ALSO WRITE A BOOK

Expressing that he wants to be a scientist who contributes to humanity by better understanding the human brain and psychology, Demirel said, “I will continue to work in the field of fluent speaking until I achieve satisfactory results in this field. In addition to my academic publications, I also plan to write a book to increase awareness on this subject. In my studies in England, I will develop experimental therapy methods in the speech and brain laboratory of the experimental psychology department for people who want to speak more fluently. At this stage of my career, I focused on transcranial brain stimulation techniques that are harmless, painless and do not require any surgical intervention.”