Dilay holds degrees in Economics and Political Science, as well as an MSc in Political Science and Public Administration from the Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey. She is currently pursuing her PhD in the UK, where she also holds Associate Fellowship at the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Before starting her doctoral studies at the University of Surrey’s Department of Politics, Dilay gained professional experience in both academia and the civil society sector, working as an academic assistant and an NGO officer. Her interdisciplinary background in economics, political science, and cultural studies shapes her current research, which examines how Populist Radical Right Parties (PRRPs) impact mainstream political parties’ positions on gender-related issues.