İdil Elveriş

I am a legal academic and mediator with a global perspective, holding law degrees from Istanbul and Tulane Universities and a PhD from Istanbul Bilgi University.

My career began in international legal practice across New York, Istanbul, and Kosovo, providing a cross-border understanding of justice systems. At Istanbul Bilgi University, I pioneered clinical legal education, establishing literacy programs for low- income individuals and prison inmates while building a pro bono network for NGOs. I also directed my expertise toward social change by launching the viral 2015 #sendeanlat campaign against sexual harassment. Since moving to the UK in 2019, I have hosted the podcast WeCanFindAWay, exploring amicable solutions to complex conflicts. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at LSHTM and volunteering for the Advocacy Project in mental health and elderly care settings. I have actively contributed to the EFRJ working groups on Communications and Prisons & Restorative Justice. My diverse experience with academic institutions, government ministries, and NGOs equips me to guide and support further working group activities. My work remains dedicated to bridging the gap between law, society, and human welfare. Thank you for your support.

My vision for the EFRJ focuses on growth and influence. I intend to help the Forum expand restorative practices into the sectors of public health, academia, and civil society. Second, I want the EFRJ to become the premier authority - a go-to resource for policymakers, the public and the media - providing expert insights on crime, victims’ voice and explaining why punishment is not working and what else can be done.

I offer 25 years of cross-disciplinary experience as a lawyer, academic, and advocate to support the Forum’s objectives. Transitioning into the complex landscape of public health, I recognize the urgent need for dialogue and voice in many other spheres, much like our work in implementing restorative justice within the prison system. As a member of the EFRJ Working Group on Restorative Justice and Imprisonment, I am dedicated to giving voice to victims and promoting healing for all parties affected by crime. My background spans collaboration with governments and NGOs across multiple countries. This international perspective allows me to bridge gaps between theory and practice, ensuring that equity and access remain central to our efforts. With a recent focus on knowledge dissemination, I am eager to share these insights to amplify the Forum’s impact. Thank you for your consideration.

Dr. Elveriş offers a rich interdisciplinary profile that would significantly strengthen the EFRJ Board’s academic and research capacity. With foundations in law (BA/LLM), a PhD in political science, and ongoing postgraduate studies in public health, Idil engages with restorative justice through legal, institutional, and social lenses. A certified mediator, she has extensive experience in restorative justice (RJ) and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly through her impactful research and training projects in Turkey. Her fifteen years as a university lecturer and her leadership of a prison law clinic provide both scholarly rigor and frontline expertise in criminal justice reform. Beyond her academic work, Idil hosts the podcast We Can Find a Way, demonstrating a commitment to public outreach and strong social media literacy. Based in the UK with deep professional roots in Turkey and Southern Europe, she brings a vital cross-regional perspective perfectly aligned with the Forum’s pan-European mission.

İdil would significantly expand the Board’s academic and research capacity. Her background bridges legal and ethnographic court research, and she is a pioneer of "law and society" studies as well as alternative dispute resolution in a country where these fields are still developing. Beyond academia, she is a mediator who has led pilot projects with a local government in Istanbul. Furthermore, her legal clinical work in Istanbul prisons represents one of the nation's longest-running prison education programs. Given her international career in many regions of the world and her perspective from a key EU-candidate country, I am confident she will make a vital contribution to the EFRJ and its mission.

Email: ielveris@icloud.com

Organisation, job title: LSHTM, Public Health Master student, mediator & podcast creator