Zülâl Fazlıoğlu Akın earned her PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy at the Ohio State University. Her research centers on cultural policy, international cultural relations, and cultural diplomacy with a specific focus on Turkey, Europe, and the Middle East. Her public scholarship focuses on inclusive arts education policy. She works with arts and cultural organizations in Turkey and Europe as a researcher, consultant, and cultural expert. She regularly teaches courses on international cultural relations, public policy for the arts, and contemporary issues in creative industries.