Student Profile, Onurcan Büyükkalkan, MSCAPP Class of 2025

Onurcan Büyükkalkan, MSCAPP Class of 2025, has lived and studied in many locations, which he said allowed him to solidify his interest in policy and technology. “I have always felt like a nomad. I am from Izmir, a coastal town in Turkey, and I pursued my undergraduate degree in political science and software development in Ankara, some 600 km away. Before my undergraduate studies, I participated in an exchange program in Washington, DC, which motivated my interest in policy. Then, while in undergrad, I completed another exchange program in Germany, where I solidified my understanding of the importance of bridging gaps between cultures.”

Büyükkalkan’s past work experience in the Turkish Parliament and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance also informed his interest in using policy to advance cutting-edge technology to serve the community. “I believe that policy is where we can make the most impactful changes. I saw this in action during my internships, and it drove me to pursue a career where I can make the most of my tech and policy skills.”

Additionally, his time as a Fulbright Scholar proved challenging yet rewarding. “The opportunity to work with the U.S. Department of State gave me insight into the management and functioning of governments, as well as opened doors for my graduate studies. I had been preparing for the Fulbright Program since high school, so to have received that scholarship makes me very proud.”

The sum of his experiences inspired Büyükkalkan to pursue a career at the intersection of policy and technology in Turkey, but he knew he needed a degree in policy before taking that step. While considering different universities and programs, Büyükkalkan was invigorated by the faculty and research being done at Harris. 

“Harris is the best place to learn how to do policy. It is a globally connected school with faculty and students hailing from all around the world. There is also such strong engagement with the community and the City of Chicago. The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum also influenced my desire to study here.”

Specifically, the Master of Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) program caught his attention. “Since I came from a quantitative background, I felt like the MSCAPP program was the best fit for me. I want to improve my technical skills while still being able to understand and manage the policy projects about which I am passionate; the MSCAPP program perfectly combines those interests.”

While at Harris, Büyükkalkan plans to get involved with research organizations and opportunities that combine his interests. “I find the Policy Labs at Harris exceptionally stimulating since they offer a challenging and exciting hands-on experience about the practical flow in the field. As I also have experience in financial technology, I am very attracted to the research done at the Center for Economic Policy—I hope to get involved with that center as well.”

Büyükkalkan’s plan to make an impact in the future is clear. “After Harris, I hope to utilize my technical skills to create systems for implementing data-driven policies. I see this starting on a regional or national level, and I would love to eventually work with organizations like the United Nations to expand this to the international level. I know that I love using computer science tools to examine and solve social issues, and I plan to work in international organizations—or the tech or consulting sectors—where I can contribute my best to my community.