A Q&A with Nisa Gurbuz, PhD Student

Our department recently had the pleasure of learning more about one of our newest PhD students, Nisa Gurbuz, in the chat detailed below. Read the full interview for highlights about Nisa’s personal and career background, research interests, what drew her to our department, and more! 

Find Nisa at her LinkedIn here.

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Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

Q: What is your background?

A: I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. I earned a double major in New Media and Sociology during my undergrad years there. As a young woman in Istanbul who commuted on public transportation for up to four hours a day, I decided to study—surprise, surprise—public transportation for my graduation thesis! I conducted a survey-based study on Istanbul's proposed "pink transportation" plan, which aimed to introduce women-only transport to reduce sexual harassment. Although the plan didn’t materialize (partly thanks to strong feminist protests I was involved in), my study showed it didn’t have much support anyway. That experience sparked my passion for studying cities, governments, and innovative solutions to complex problems.

Following one of my early mentors' advice, I applied for and received a Fulbright scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in the U.S. In 2019, I moved to LA to get my master’s in Urban and Regional Planning at UCLA. This time, my thesis explored rideshare drivers’ experiences in California from a feminist perspective, focusing on how the platform economies affect the gendered nature of driving as an occupation and women’s experience. My research found that, despite easier job access, women still face gender-related concerns while working on these platforms, including the risk of harassment.

After graduating from UCLA, I briefly returned to Istanbul, worked as an IT Project Manager for a Zurich-based software development company, and applied to PhD programs. Although I enjoyed managing software projects, I felt drawn to the intersection of technology and management in academia. I joined USC’s Public Policy and Management program to work with Professor Christine Beckman. There, I completed all the course requirements within two years, passed the qualifying exams, and earned my PhD candidacy.

When my advisor transferred to UCSB's Technology Management program, I followed her here. In hindsight, I wish I had applied to UCSB from the start—this program is a perfect fit for my research interests! So, here I am, continuing my PhD as a second- or third-year student. I am taking some of the PhD classes and trying to start my dissertation research simultaneously.

Q: What would people be surprised to know about you? 

A: Right after I got the Fulbright scholarship in 2018, I was invited to interview for Turkish Airlines' pilot program! They train selected candidates for two years and then require a 10-year contract. If I’d pursued that path, maybe I’d be a pilot for Turkish Airlines today instead of a PhD student in the U.S. The funny part? I don’t even know how to drive a car or ride a bike! Imagine me flying a plane. But with the opportunity to study in the U.S. ahead of me, I never replied to their invitation.

Tell me about your research interests. 

Q: What are your main research areas, and how did you first get interested?

A: In a nutshell, my main research areas are government and technology. I’m fascinated by how the public sector uses technology. My dissertation focuses on how local governments approach GenAI tools. Some are developing tools in-house, but most collaborate with private sector vendors. 

My interest started during my master’s while I was studying rideshare drivers’ experiences. Examining how these platforms are managed and regulated ignited my passion for modern technologies and organizations. Now, I’m exploring how emerging technologies are transforming public sector operations. 

Q: What is the most exciting thing about your research and what do you think is the most surprising thing about it?

A: When someone mentions “government and technology,” people often think of the government as a regulatory body rather than a producer or user of technology. There's a common misconception that governments are too large and cumbersome to be innovative, creative, or exploratory. However, when you visit any governmental agency today, you won't find typewriters or messages delivered by owls—they use modern technologies! The context, of course, differs from the private sector. Sometimes government adoption is slower, sometimes not. Bureaucracy can hinder progress, but it can also encourage it. For instance, in my conversations with public sector employees from various California city and county governments, I've been struck by their enthusiasm for adopting GenAI tools, educating employees, developing custom solutions, and reconfiguring workflows to leverage new technologies. Yes, they face unique challenges, but they are evolving at their own pace. While scholarly attention does exist on the intersection of public sector organizations and technology use, it remains understudied compared to the private sector. Business schools, for instance, focus heavily on private firms' technological adoption, but public administration schools’ interest in technology and government is not that vivid. This underexplored field is precisely why I find it so exciting.

Q: What would you like to study in the future? Or how would you expand on what you're studying right now?

A: I’d love to develop a theoretical framework specifically for public sector technology use. Most current theories that examine technology and organizations used in the public administration field come from business or information schools, but public sector organizations are fundamentally different. They deserve a tailored framework that doesn’t require much tweaking to fit. My dream is to create that framework by the end of my PhD

Tell me about your experience with the Department so far. 

Q: What brought you to our department? 

A: Although I came here to follow my advisor, Professor Beckman, I had also been reading extensively about the work of Steve Barley, Paul Leonardi, and Matt Beane. These three, among others, were some of the first scholars I became familiar with in the field. Being here means I am closer to the scholarly work that has inspired me. Additionally, UCSB’s Technology Management program has several outstanding ethnographers and faculty who specialize in qualitative research. Since this is the direction I want to pursue, it made sense to come here.

Q: What are some of the most important things you've learned so far in the classes you've taken?

A: I’m experiencing a strong academic identity for the first time. In previous programs, we dabbled in a bit of everything. Here, there’s a close-knit community where everyone knows key journals, scholars, and even the academic gossip! It’s like being part of an extended family that understands and supports each other’s work.

Q: What would you say was your most impactful, interesting, or memorable experience in this department so far?

A: The academic coherence and mutual support within UCSB's Technology Management program are remarkable. The program fosters a harmonious environment where, even if my research interests don’t align perfectly with others’, people can resonate with them, understand them, interpret them, and genuinely help me develop my ideas. The same applies in reverse—when others share their interests or ongoing projects, I can easily understand their perspectives, the literature they draw from, and the gaps they aim to address. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a community that truly speaks the same academic language.

Q: If you could give any advice to students interested in applying for a PhD in the department, what would you say?

A: Go for it! A PhD demands commitment and initiative. Surround yourself with people who can support you. If you’re into the intersection of organizations, management, and technology—especially qualitatively—UCSB Tech Management is the place to be. The faculty here are rock stars and love collaborating with students.

Q: What do you wish everyone knew about the department?

A: Small programs can seem risky, but UCSB's Technology Management program strikes a perfect balance between intimacy and academic depth. While larger programs may offer more breadth, the focused nature of this department fosters deep, meaningful connections among students and faculty. Everyone's interests overlap in substantial ways, creating a collaborative environment where we not only share ideas but also build on each other's research. This intellectual synergy means that even if our specific projects differ, we can relate to and contribute to each other's work, enhancing our own understanding and broadening our perspectives. 

Tell me about your personal goals.

Q: Where would you like to see yourself in the future? 

A: Oh! Well, unfortunately, the transition from USC's Public Policy and Management program to here has been harder than I anticipated. I'm currently experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. I'm unsure what type of academic environment I’ll end up in, especially since my transition is still fresh and my dissertation is in its very early stages. So, it's difficult to answer this question definitively. I think I see myself continuing to conduct research somewhere, but the details are still taking shape.

Q: Are you associated with any academic or on-campus organizations that you would like to highlight? 

A: I was involved in multiple academic groups at USC, including the Civic Leadership Education and Research (CLEAR) Initiative at the Public Policy School, the Hierarchy, Networks, & Technology (HiNT) Lab at the Business School, and the Media as SocioTechnical Systems (MASTS) group at the Communication School. Additionally, I participated in the Jumpstart program, which supports undergraduate students in applying to graduate programs. Being part of large academic groups that touch on different aspects of my research interests was an incredibly enriching experience.

Since transitioning to UCSB, it has taken me some time to get settled, so I haven't had the chance to explore similar academic groups here yet. However, this is something I’m really looking forward to. If anyone has suggestions, I’d love for them to send them my way!