{"id":16340,"date":"2025-12-02T10:21:05","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T09:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/it-u.at\/?p=16340"},"modified":"2026-01-21T10:25:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T09:25:46","slug":"meet-burcu-bilgic-phd-student-in-computational-x","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/it-u.at\/en\/news\/meet-burcu-bilgic-phd-student-in-computational-x\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Burcu Bilgic \u2013 PhD Student in Computational X \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our IT:U Stories continues with Burcu Bilgic, a PhD student in Computational X<\/a> in the GeoSocial Artificial Intelligence<\/a> research group. Through explainable AI and geospatial data, she helps disaster response teams better understand fast-changing crises and act where help is needed most. In the future, her research could help save time, resources, and lives when it matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT YOU<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Where are you from?<\/strong>
I am from Ankara, the capital of Turkey, but I have been living in Austria for almost 4 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One fun fact\/secret talent about you?<\/strong>
I can imitate several actors and actresses, and I can do it in different languages \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can we find you (in Linz) when you’re not working?<\/strong>
When I am not working, I am either playing tennis in some tennis courts or walking around Donaul\u00e4nde (Linz).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did you study\/work before IT:U?<\/strong>
I did an MSc in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with a specialization in Wireless Communication. Before that, I completed my bachelor\u2019s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with a minor in Computer Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

What is your current research focus?<\/strong>
My research focuses on using Explainable Artificial Intelligence for geospatial data in disaster management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which project are you most proud of?<\/strong>
I led a project on Wireless Propagation Measurements with an international team of more than 20 engineers. Managing every phase taught me empathy, cross-cultural teamwork, and how to work with people from different disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine your research reaches its full potential\u2014what kind of impact would it have in the future?<\/strong>
My research could transform how disaster response teams understand and react to fast-changing crises. By combining explainable AI with geospatial data, it would give agencies transparent, real-time insights from multilingual sources like social media. This would help them spot urgent needs, see where risks are rising, and know which areas need help first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHD LIFE AT IT:U<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

One unique thing you find about working here at IT:U?<\/strong>
Here, unlike at other universities, technical and non-technical fields are not separated. People from different disciplines work together, and that wide mix of perspectives makes the projects unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What were the two biggest reasons for applying to IT:U?<\/strong>
First, IT:U\u2019s interdisciplinary, project-based approach lets you work on real problems, not just theory. Second, the research environment is modern and focused on real-world topics and projects that I wanted to be part of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to IT:U?<\/strong>
My advice is to come with an open mind and be ready for genuine interdisciplinary work. At IT:U, you learn by doing\u2014collaborating on real projects with people from diverse backgrounds. If you enjoy hands-on learning, teamwork, and taking initiative, you will thrive in this environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n\n \"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a> <\/div>\n