Born in a small neighbourhood of Edirne, Sergen Gül’s journey from chemistry laboratories to environmental justice activism is a story of identity, resilience, and transformative change.

From a quiet corner of north-western Türkiye to the halls of Europe’s top universities, Sergen Gül has charted a path few dared to imagine. As the first young person from his neighbourhood to pursue a university degree in the natural sciences, his personal achievement quickly became a collective symbol. His message was quiet but firm: “Science is our domain too.”

Breaking Barriers in Science

Sergen’s fascination with science began at an industrial technical high school, where he specialised in chemistry. His curiosity and discipline led him to Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, where he earned a degree in chemistry education. He remained there for a master’s in organic chemistry, while also working as a researcher at the university’s Faculty of Pharmacy. For three years, he contributed to pharmaceutical chemistry projects that gained recognition across both academia and the health sector.

Later, he joined the Food and Drug Laboratory at the Scientific Research Centre of Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya. At the same time, he began his PhD in Nanoscience and Engineering. His research was far-reaching and urgent—designing drug molecules to fight COVID-19, developing potential treatments for glioblastoma (an aggressive brain cancer), and creating novel agents for cellular imaging.

His work was published in five internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals and honoured at medicinal chemistry conferences throughout Europe.

Activism Beyond the Lab

But Sergen’s story goes far beyond scientific achievement. At just 17, he became involved in Roma civil society movements. He volunteered on projects that tackled educational inequality, child marriage prevention, and rights-based youth organising. His work also extended to music initiatives and cultural memory documentation, efforts that connected him deeply with his community.

Driven by a passion for both science and justice, he sought ways to merge these worlds.

A New Lens: Environmental Justice

A turning point came when Sergen was accepted into the Roma Graduate Preparation Program (RGPP) at Central European University. There, he encountered environmental science and policy—fields that gave him new tools to confront systemic issues affecting Roma communities.

His most groundbreaking work emerged during this time: a pioneering study on industrial pollution in Türkiye’s Ergene Basin and its disproportionate impact on Roma neighbourhoods. This was the first environmental justice analysis of its kind focused on Roma communities in Türkiye.

His academic interest led him to the highly selective MESPOM (Environmental Science, Policy and Management) master’s program, funded by a €33,600 European Commission scholarship. Through MESPOM, he studied at the University of Manchester (UK), Lund University (Sweden), Central European University (Austria), and the University of the Aegean (Greece).

In his thesis, he examined the impacts of urban transformation in Istanbul, specifically in Sulukule and Küçükbakkalköy neighbourhoods, analysing how Roma communities have been stigmatised, commodified, and ultimately displaced. His work critically explores how policy, prejudice, and profit intersect under the guise of “development”.

Building Knowledge, Building Memory

To date, Sergen Gül has authored five internationally published scientific articles, presented at over ten academic conferences, completed three scientific theses, and contributed to six human rights reports. Through his work with the Romani Godi Association, he became a voice in documenting Roma memory, exposing rights violations during crises like pandemics and earthquakes, and informing public discourse with data and awareness.

Now 31, he continues to learn, teach, and advocate—refusing to separate his academic pursuits from his cultural identity.

“I have never hidden my Roma identity,” he says. “I even placed the Roma flag on the back of the posters and papers I presented in chemistry. That is my greatest strength.”

A Call to the Next Generation

Sergen’s journey is more than an inspirational story—it’s a call to action. To Roma youth who feel excluded from science or academia, he offers this message:

“Roma youth can have a voice in science too. All we need is a deep desire to work and a sense of curiosity, shaped by unwavering belief. Opre Roma!”