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MİDUG – MSKÜ Climate Action Platform
Connecting Science, Sustainability and Society for a Climate-Resilient Future
About MİDUG
MİDUG (Muğla İklim Direnci ve Uyum Girişimi – Muğla Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative) is an interdisciplinary climate action initiative developed by Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ) to bring together scientific research, technological innovation, sustainability practices, student engagement and institutional collaboration within a common framework for climate resilience and adaptation.
The initiative emerged during MSKÜ's preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, recognising the need to strengthen collaboration across academic disciplines and establish closer connections between scientific knowledge and practical climate solutions. Coordinated by the University's Sustainable Green Campus Coordination Office (SYKK), MİDUG provides a collaborative platform for researchers, students, public institutions, local authorities and other stakeholders to develop science-based approaches to climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development.
MİDUG was officially introduced at the MSKÜ
COP31 Workshop, held on 5 October 2026 at the Atatürk Cultural Centre in Muğla. The workshop brought together academic and student-led projects addressing a wide range of environmental, technological, economic and societal challenges. Building on these contributions, MİDUG was organised around six interconnected thematic work packages, covering climate science and nature-based solutions; coastal and wetland governance; living laboratories and circular economy; sustainable tourism and local development; policy and governance; and digital climate solutions and disaster resilience.
Rather than treating these thematic areas as independent activities, MİDUG promotes an integrated approach that connects scientific findings, technological developments and societal perspectives to develop practical, locally adaptable and measurable climate solutions. A central feature of the initiative is the active involvement of students from different academic backgrounds, encouraging interdisciplinary learning, collaborative research and direct participation in climate action.
With Muğla as its starting point and the wider Mediterranean region as its long-term focus, MİDUG aims to strengthen national and international research partnerships, support innovative projects and translate scientific knowledge into practical applications. Through collaboration between academia, public institutions, local communities and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Six Thematic Work Packages
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WP1 – Climate Science and Nature-Based Solutions
Reconstructing past climate variability, understanding present environmental changes and evaluating future climate risks to support science-based adaptation strategies.
Project: BlueLegacies – From Ancient Water Heritage to a Climate-Resilient Mediterranean Future
Project Lead: Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Sena Akçer Ön
Student Research Team: Serra Selen Yılmaz,
Ceyla Ayça Demirbaş,
Melike Gizem Bayındır,
Selin Aksan,
Başak Kaplan.
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WP2 – Coastal Areas, Wetlands and Climate Adaptation Governance
Developing participatory approaches to protecting vulnerable coastal ecosystems, wetlands and water resources while balancing environmental conservation with local economic and societal needs.
Project: Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Coastal Governance: Dalyan–İztuzu–Köyceğiz Lake Basin
Project Lead: Prof. Dr.
Muammer Tuna
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WP3 – Living Laboratories, Circular Economy and Youth
Transforming university campuses and local communities into spaces for sustainable innovation, ecological production, resource efficiency, environmental education and student engagement.
Project 1
Project: MSKÜ Campus Garden: A Living Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Learning, Climate Adaptation and Inclusion Through Cultivation
Project Lead: Res. Asst.
Naz Fulya Cibik
Student Research Team: Sıla Karakuş,
Bahar Aleyna Kacar,
Şevval Karakoç,
Yeşim Temel.
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Project 2
Project: Recycling Campus Waste Glass Using a Microwave-Assisted Sol–Gel Method for Heavy Metal Sensing and Wastewater Treatment Applications
Academic Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Sema Aslan
Project Lead: Yağmur Demirol
Student Research Team: Oğuzhan Tamir, Umut Çelikyürek.
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Project 3
Project: Glass Recycling Is in My Hands
Student Project Lead: Hacer Simnur Bayrak
Academic Supervisor: Prof. Dr.
Füsun Özerdem
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Project 4
Project: Climate-Resilient Youth
Project Lead: Prof. Dr.
Muammer Tuna
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WP4 – Sustainable Tourism and Local Development
Exploring climate-resilient tourism, sustainable local economies and community-based development approaches that strengthen the adaptive capacity of Mediterranean destinations.
Project 1
Project: Climate-Resilient Tourism Education: Developing a Competency Framework and Educational Model for Future Tourism Professionals
Project Lead: Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Meltem Altınay Özdemir
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Project 2
Project: The Regenerative Contribution of Local Markets Integrated into Tourism
Student Project Lead: Rabia Cengizhan
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WP5 – Policy and Governance
Connecting scientific evidence with economic, social and institutional decision-making to support climate adaptation, clean energy transitions and sustainable development policies.
Project 1
Project: Clean Energy Transition and Emerging Protectionist Trade Policies Amid Green Industrialisation: Policy Recommendations for COP31
Project Lead: Asst. Prof. Dr.
Özgül Uyan
Student Research Team: Yusuf Taşdemir,
Kubilay Fidan,
Gazihan Alagöz.
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Project 2
Project: The Social Dimension of Zero Waste Policy
Project Lead: Prof. Dr.
Muammer Tuna
Student Project Lead: Selina Nur Özyıldırım, Aycan Sude Mavi,
Elifnur Takay,
Aysun Koçoğlu
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WP6 – Digital Climate Solutions and Disaster Resilience
Integrating digital technologies, environmental monitoring, intelligent systems and innovative communication tools to improve climate risk assessment, disaster preparedness and decision-making.
Project 1
Project: Smart-City Emergency Edge Platform Using Decentralised BLE Mesh Communication
Student Project Lead: Mustafa Morsy
Student Research Team: Fevziye Özge Ekmekçigil,
Hakan Dudunalı,
Yunus Emre Türk.
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Project 2
Project: Autonomous and Sustainable Agriculture Against the Climate Crisis: Agro Next Greenhouse
Student Project Lead: İlker Kaymak
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From Scientific Knowledge to Practical Solutions
The six work packages are designed as interconnected components of a shared climate resilience strategy rather than independent research activities.
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Art Meets Sustainability
Project: Artistic Interpretation of Underwater Fauna and Flora Using Ceramic Materials in the Context of Sustainability
Artist: Sinem Kara
Department: Ceramic Art and Design, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University
MİDUG Thematic Area: WP3 – Living Laboratories, Circular Economy and Youth
⬇️ Abstract
Art can play an important role in raising environmental awareness and inspiring action towards sustainability. Through her ceramic artworks “Derin” and “Derin III,” Sinem Kara explores the beauty and vulnerability of underwater ecosystems, drawing inspiration from marine organisms such as corals, seagrasses, sea sponges and tube worms. By incorporating recycled materials into ceramic bodies and glazes, her work connects artistic expression, marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable production practices. The artworks invite viewers to reflect on marine pollution, endangered species and the importance of protecting our oceans.
“Derin” and “Derin III”.