Dr Rana Aytug

Department of Sociological Studies

Research Associate

A photo of Rana Aytug
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r.aytug@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Dr Rana Aytug
Department of Sociological Studies
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH
Profile

Rana’s research interests span across the interdisciplinary field of urban studies, engaging with themes around urban diversity, socio-spatial inequalities, creative placemaking, and inclusive urban planning.  Using creative and participatory approaches, Rana is interested in bridging research, practice and policy to contribute to shaping socially sustainable cities.

Rana joined the Department of Sociological Studies in October 2022 as a Research Associate on the ESRC project Just Turn Up: informal sport and social participation in the superdiverse city.  Using two case study cities (London and Sheffield), this project explores the extent and ways in which participation in informal sport in urban public spaces contributes to social interaction and urban inclusion.  Prior to this role, Rana worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at London College of Communication (LCC), University of the Arts London where she investigated placemaking activities and priorities within South London to develop research-informed recommendations for future LCC activities around place and placemaking.  Before LCC, Rana was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) (awarded by the Coventry University Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme).  Her postdoctoral project focused on migrant youth inclusion in urban public space during Coventry’s year as the (2021-2022) UK City of Culture.  Rana’s doctoral research, which she completed in March 2021 from CTPSR, adopted the case of Amman (Jordan) and examined the relationship between youth engagement in urban politics and sustaining peace in the diverse city.  Prior to joining academia, Rana worked on architecture, spatial planning and community youth development projects across the voluntary and non-profit sector in Jordan.

Research interests

Just Turn Up: informal sport and social participation in the superdiverse city (October 2022-September 2024)

Research Associate with Sarah Neal (PI, University of Sheffield), Clare Rishbeth (Co-I, University of Sheffield), Bonnie Pang (Co-I, University of Bath), and Keith Parry (Co-I, Bournemouth University)

Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Research Interests:

  • urban politics
  • urban diversity
  • socio-spatial inequalities
  • social sustainability
  • creative placemaking
  • inclusive urban planning