Getting to Know You ➡ Yaz Gulnur Muradoglu

Getting to Know You ➡ Yaz Gulnur Muradoglu

Yaz Gulnur Muradoglu is a professor in the College of Business and Management.

Can you give me a brief timeline of how your career led you to UIS?

My dad studied economics, and I loved joining him and his friends in discussing economic issues over the dinner table. I remember falling asleep once during a discussion. They took me seriously even when I was a little girl and responded to my comments as if I were one of them. I decided that I would study economics when I was 13 years old. Around that same age, I read my first book about economics, which was written by a female professor. I did not understand much, but I was fascinated by the fact that there were many economic systems. That led me to double major in economics and business administration with a focus in finance. Before I joined UIS, I was a professor of finance at Queen Mary University of London and Bayes Business School of London. Before that, I was at Manchester Business School.

What do you love most about your field of study?

I’ve loved finance since I was a little girl because it fascinated me to see how natural systems connect everyone in society through the financial system. Some people save, others invest; some buy, and some sell. In the end, everyone is linked. People react to each other and to government actions, which may seem abstract at first but have real, tangible effects. As society grows, more people get jobs, buy homes, and improve their lives. But when the system fails, we call that a crisis.

What’s a fascinating fact about your research that you wish everyone knew?

I wish everyone knew that humans are prone to bias, including finance professionals. Being well-paid and well-trained does not take away the human traits we all have. If we were aware of these biases, we could create a better world. We might not be able to avoid crises entirely, but we could definitely lessen their impact on everyday people.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love pottering (puttering) around the house. I am happiest washing the dishes. I have a green finger (thumb). I potter (putter) around the garden, doing bits and pieces with flowers, roses, vegetables, and fruit trees. I also enjoy running, swimming, and watching thrillers.

What's something you are really proud of?

I am really proud of being a mother. The best thing I did for myself was to let my son grow up in his own way. He is now working as a quant in a hedge fund. I feel now it is like mother, like son!

Getting to Know You is recurring feature in the Chancellor's Newsletter to highlight our many talented UIS employees.