Dr. Tekce has a MA from Columbia University in International Affairs and a Ph.D. from Princeton University in Sociology. She is currently a Professor of Sociology, at the Department of Sociology, and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, at Bogazici University. Has been involved in research on urban development, child survival, family relationships and marriage in Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. Has co-authored a book, A Place to Live, focusing on life and health in a squatter neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt. Currently involved in studying familial relationships, childbearing and childrearing through life stories of couples living in Istanbul.

The talk focused on the importance of situating and understanding issues of health, illness and healing in a socio-cultural context. It will present observations on a particular initiative to incorporate epidemiological concerns and social sciences into medical education, and also introduce some conceptual considerations on the relevance of a sociocultural perspective.