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My Time in Sheffield as a Visiting Researcher - Dr Abdulhalik Pinar

Returning to Sheffield after more than a decade has been a mixture of nostalgia and new opportunities. I first came here in 2011 to complete my MA in Librarianship, and now, I find myself back as a visiting scholar at the Information School.

My time as a visiting researcher at the University of Sheffield has been truly rewarding. I am an academic staff at Harran University in Turkey supported for this visit by Tubitak (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey). This visit has been a great opportunity for my academic and professional development. I am conducting research on artificial intelligence within GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) institutions.

I have especially valued the support of my supervisor Dr. Andrew Cox who has guided me through this process. He is an extremely helpful, supportive and understanding person.

The University of Sheffield has provided me with an excellent working environment, surrounded by helpful staff and dynamic researchers. It's a place where you feel that your work is valued and that you have every resource you need to grow. These facilities are a great advantage for me to continue my academic studies in a comfortable environment. Having access to the rich resources in the university library and conducting research using these resources helps me to further my studies.

The city of Sheffield is a fascinating place with its nature and outdoor activities. I am interested in photography and hiking and Sheffield is a great place to develop these hobbies. The parks, forests and green areas around the city provide opportunities to spend time in nature. On weekends, I spend time on hiking trails, photograph the beauties of the city and get to know my surroundings better. Especially being close to the Peak District National Park satisfies this nature-loving side of me.

The social structure of Sheffield is also very colourful and diverse. The warm-bloodedness and helpfulness of the people made it easy for me to adapt to this city. In this city where people from different cultures live together, I had the opportunity to meet new people by participating in various social and cultural events.

This time I spent in Sheffield will have a very important place in my academic career. I believe that the knowledge, experience and friendships I have gained here will make a great contribution to my future studies and life. I would like to thank the University of Sheffield for giving me this opportunity and Dr. Andrew Cox for his support. I am also grateful to the staff and students here for their hospitality. These experiences will be among the unforgettable memories of my academic journey.

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