Academic and cultural experiences of covered women in Turkish higher education

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the educational and cultural experiences of 12 covered female students attending Turkish state universities in the academic year 2014–2015 and compares how they engage both academically and culturally on university campuses after the lifting of the headscarf ban. Findings indicate that covered students seem to attend academic and extra-curricular activities and use campus facilities but socialise mostly among themselves and feel a sense of tension as a result of the disturbing remarks, looks, and comments of other students. Although the results hint at a healthier campus climate compared to the climate during the time of the headscarf ban, the socialisation patterns of these women imply that students on campuses are together but separate. Another implication of the study is the emergence of a new version of the ban, an informal ban, as a result of the behaviour and attitude of others, which might potentially harm the university experiences of students.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Steven H. Seggie for comments on previous versions of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributors

Dr Seggie is an Associate Professor at Boğaziçi University. She received her PhD in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education Program in the Department of Educational Administration at Michigan State University. Her research interests include an examination of how democracy, secularism and religion manifest within higher education in the Middle East and Turkey; policy development and analysis in education, issues of gender and identity in higher education systems, and analysis of organizational change and leadership in developing countries.

Notes

1. In the extant literature (e.g. Seggie 2007), these students are referred to as ‘part-time unveilers’ due to the fact that they unveiled for university while wearing the headscarf in their private lives. The reason I change their name to ‘re-veilers’ is because with the headscarf ban no longer in existence they are no longer ‘part-time’ unveiling.

2. An imam is a religious figure who leads the prayer in a mosque.

3. A foundation university is a non-profit higher education institution established by a foundation. The university is funded by the foundation and student tuition.