Abstract
With more than 700,000 people, the Turkish diaspora in France is the second largest in Europe, yet it remains comparatively understudied, partly because of its later emergence. Previous research has often emphasized cultural isolation, strong ethnocultural ties, and resistance to integration. This study examines the cultural preferences of young adults of Turkish origin aged 18–29, the community’s largest demographic segment. Drawing on 40 face-to-face interviews conducted in France, it explores how gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religiosity, language proficiency, and geography shape differences in cultural tastes and practices. The study also investigates participants’ motivations and the role of cultural intermediaries, particularly digital media, in shaping these practices.
Bio
Aylin Sunam is Assistant Professor of New Media and Communication at Kadir Has University, where she has taught since 2018. She holds PhDs in Political Science from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and in Media and Communication Studies from Galatasaray University, and conducted postdoctoral research at IRMECCEN, Sorbonne Nouvelle. Before entering academia, she worked in strategic planning for agencies including TBWA, JWT, and FCB. Her research focuses on digital communities and identities, youth, digital art, migration, and digital policy. Her work has appeared in several international journals, such as Cultural Trends, Sexuality & Culture, and Mobile Media & Communication.
