Biography
Based in Kingston, ON, Simge is a museum leader, educator, and scholar whose work focuses on globalization, community engagement, and cultural diplomacy in museums. She serves as the Director of the Museum of Health Care, where she leads national initiatives to make health history more inclusive, community-centred, and accessible. Simge holds a PhD in Cultural Studies (Queen's University) and an MA in Museum Studies (University College London) and has held academic and professional roles in the UK, Turkey, and Canada, bringing an international perspective to her teaching and practice.
Her publications appear in academic journals, edited volumes, and technical reports, exploring topics such as accessibility, community engagement, and the role of museums in diplomacy, migration, and public memory. She is a Course Director and Faculty Member at the Ontario Museum Association and a core team member of the North American Cultural Diplomacy Initiative (NACDI). Her academic and professional contributions have been recognized through several awards and distinctions, including Kingston Economic Development Network's "40 Under 40" leadership award (2025), International Communication Association's (ICA) Top Faculty Award (2023), and European Union's Jean Monnet Fellowship(2014-2015), highlighting her leadership in advancing museum scholarship and cultural practice.
Simge’s work is shaped by both her practitioner and scholarly experience, and by a commitment to museums as welcoming, collaborative spaces built with—and for—the communities they serve.