Cigdem is a PhD candidate at University of Pittsburgh. Her current research focuses on the impact of terrorist attacks on citizens' political participation. She also conducts research on how increasing terrorism threat shapes political parties' election manifestos. Cigdem holds MA degrees in Political Science from University of Pittsburgh and Sabanci University. Her previous research has focused on the relationship between people's perception of terrorism risk and their international travel behavior. She employs quantitative research methods for her studies on terrorism, elections, public protests, and political parties.