Contact Me
Contact Me

Resume

I’ve worked across publishing, academia, and media. From writing fashion features at ELLE to researching gender and literature at the University of Edinburgh. My work lives at the intersection of creativity and critique, shaped by a deep love for stories and the spaces they create.
I’ve worked across publishing, academia, and media. From writing fashion features at ELLE to researching gender and literature at the University of Edinburgh. My work lives at the intersection of creativity and critique, shaped by a deep love for stories
and the spaces they create.
Fidan Cheikosman, a writer and scholar with a deep love for literature. She has studied Comparative Literature and French at UCLA, pursued a master’s in Publishing at NYU, and completed a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh.

Fidan Cheikosman

Writer | Editor
PhD in Comparative Literature

Contact Me

contact@fidancheikosman.com
Download My Resume
My Resume
Fidan Cheikosman, a writer and scholar with a deep love for literature. She has studied Comparative Literature and French at UCLA, pursued a master’s in Publishing at NYU, and completed a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh.

Fidan Cheikosman

Writer | Editor | PhD in Comparative Literature

My Resume
My Resume

Meet Fidan Cheikosman

Drives high-impact editorial initiatives by shaping and refining content across digital and print platforms; draws on 6+ years of experience in publishing, journalism, and academia.

Editorial & Content Strategist | Nonfiction Acquisitions | Research & Fact-Checking | Cross-Functional Collaboration

Content Development & Strategy: Edited and fact-checked high-profile editorial content for major publications, ensuring factual accuracy and narrative integrity. Spearheaded content optimization strategies that increased audience engagement by 30% at Meta.

Research & Editorial Judgment: Conducted deep-dive research and manuscript evaluations, assessing commercial and scholarly viability for nonfiction publications. Produced a 300-page dissertation and secured funding for international research.

Collaborative Editorial Execution: Worked cross-functionally with marketing, design, and editorial teams to shape compelling narratives. Led research initiatives and advised on grant applications, resulting in a 30% increase in successful funding awards.

Manuscript Evaluation & Editing
Fact-Checking & Source Verification
Research & Data Analysis

Content Strategy & Optimization
Editorial Project Management
Publishing Industry Trends & Insights

Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Deadline Management & Quality Control
Audience Growth & Engagement

Professional Experience

12/24 – Present

Data Labeling Analyst

at Meta

Analyzed and interpreted large-scale data sets to improve content accuracy and optimize Meta’s search engine algorithms. Evaluated text and visual search results for relevance, refining data-labeling processes to enhance user experience. Boosted content alignment with user intent, improving content accuracy rates by 25% and driving 30% better search result yields.

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  • Assessed 34+ datasets daily, evaluating the accuracy of search results across textual and visual content to ensure alignment with user queries.
  • Reduced mislabeled data by 15%, refining classification processes and eliminating inconsistencies in Meta’s search engine results.
  • Strengthened search algorithm efficiency by implementing term mismatch analysis and adjusting keyword structures to enhance search relevancy.
  • Partnered with engineering, product, and content strategy teams to improve machine learning model accuracy and enhance data reliability.
  • Facilitated data-driven content strategy improvements by collaborating with marketing and UX teams to refine Meta’s content structuring methods.
  • Developed advanced keyword tagging methodologies and implemented SQL-based trend analysis.

01/21 – 07/24

PhD Researcher & Candidate

at University of Edinburgh

Conducted extensive research in Comparative Literature, focusing on Turkish Studies, Gender Studies, and Urban Spaces. Utilized academic resources such as JSTOR, ProQuest, and university library databases to develop a 300-page dissertation analyzing sociocultural identity and gender dynamics in literature.

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  • Delivered 8 presentations at international conferences across 4 countries, reaching over 1,000 academics and industry professionals.
  • Managed a 10,000+ entry research database using Microsoft Excel and Access, ensuring 100% data integrity and GDPR compliance.
  • Secured a Turing Scheme Grant to fund research at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, supporting dissertation development and international collaboration.
  • Developed structured manuscript tracking systems using Zotero, Mendeley, and Notion, streamlining citation management.

01/22 – 06/22

Independent Researcher

at Boğaziçi University

Conducted independent research in Comparative Literature, analyzing Turkish and Middle Eastern literary traditions. Evaluated and refined research methodologies for PhD candidates while collaborating with faculty in the Western Languages & Literatures Department.

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  • Evaluated 15+ PhD research projects, providing critical feedback that led to a 30% increase in successful grant applications.
  • Established a network of 20+ international scholars, facilitating 3 collaborative research initiatives that resulted in joint publications.
  • Strengthened grant-writing expertise by advising PhD candidates on funding applications, utilizing resources such as the MLA Handbook and Chicago Manual of Style.

01/19 – 05/19

Editorial Intern

at L’Officiel USA

Pitched and developed 30+ story ideas, 12 of which became published features, covering fashion, trends, and cultural commentary. Attended New York Fashion Week to provide live coverage and trend analysis. Conducted research, interviews, and fact-checking to ensure editorial accuracy. Collaborated with writers and editors to shape high-quality digital content. 

09/18 – 12/18

Editorial Intern

at ELLE Magazine

Reviewed and recommended book selections for ELLE’s Book Features Column, evaluating 30+ books from publishers for potential coverage. Coordinated with authors, literary agents, and publishers, increasing exclusive content acquisition by 40%. Developed an Excel-based book tracking system, transcribed and fact-checked high-profile interviews, contributing to feature articles.

11/24 – Present

Reviewer, Social Identities: Journal for the Study of Race, Nation, and Culture

Evaluate manuscript submissions for scholarly merit, ensuring alignment with journal standards and academic rigor. Collaborate with an international editorial board to uphold publication quality.

Volunteer Roles – Delivered educational workshops in Nicaragua, focusing on women’s health, hygiene, and birth control education in underprivileged communities.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Comparative Literature

University of Edinburgh

Master of Science (MS), Publishing: Print & Digital Media

New York University

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Comparative Literature & French,

University of California

Publications

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  • “Living Between Libraries: Finding Home as an International Scholar,” Inside Higher Ed, February 2024.
  • “The Empty Notebook: Fear and Fertility in Elif Shafak’s Black Milk,” JSTOR Daily, January 2024.
  • Turkish Tales & Streets of Desire: Gendered Journeys in Shafak and Pamuk’s Literary Cityscapes, [Manuscript Forthcoming].
  • “The Dangers of the Syrian Woman from the Lens of Mainstream Turkish Media Outlets,” Routledge, January 2024.
  • “The Possession-Possessor Dichotomy in the Turkish-Museum Novel,” Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, November 2023.
  • “Mehls ‘Love Handles’ Show at NYFW Housed at a Hardware Store,” The Garnette Report, February 2019.
  • “Inside Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya’s Spring 2019 Collaboration,” L’Officiel USA, April 2019.

Let’s Talk

Grab a book, sip your favorite tea,
and let’s talk words, stories, and opportunities.

Frequently
Asked Questions.

Curious About My Work? Let’s Explore.

What kind of stories do you feel most called to write?

I’m drawn to stories about identity, memory, culture, and belonging — especially the quiet ones that explore how we make sense of ourselves and the world around us.

You can find my writing in JSTOR Daily, Inside Higher Ed, ELLE, L’Officiel USA, and on my blog. A curated selection is also available here on my portfolio page.

Yes, absolutely. I’m available for editorial, creative, and academic writing projects — especially ones rooted in storytelling, culture, or thoughtful analysis. Feel free to reach out through the contact form. I’d love to hear more.

My academic work taught me to slow down and write with care — to think critically, but also emotionally. That mix of depth and clarity shows up in everything I write.

Yes. I occasionally work with writers on essays, personal reflections, and early drafts. I focus on giving thoughtful, honest feedback — especially for stories that explore identity or culture.

Absolutely! I’ve spoken at conferences and literary events in cities like Edinburgh, Istanbul, and Lisbon — and I’m always open to invitations for panels, talks, or workshops.

Let’s Work Together & Create Impactful Stories

Fidan Cheikosman, a writer and scholar with a deep love for literature. She has studied Comparative Literature and French at UCLA, pursued a master’s in Publishing at NYU, and completed a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh.

Contact Me
Download My Resume

Linkedin

Instagram

Good Reads

PhD Profile

Copyright © Fidan Cheikosman | Website By Brandsquare

Let’s Work Together & Create Impactful Stories

Fidan Cheikosman, a writer and scholar with a deep love for literature. She has studied Comparative Literature and French at UCLA, pursued a master’s in Publishing at NYU, and completed a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh.

Contact Me
Download My Resume

Linkedin

Instagram

Good Reads

PhD Profile

Copyright © Fidan Cheikosman | Website By Brandsquare

Let’s Work Together & Create Impactful Stories

Fidan Cheikosman, a writer and scholar with a deep love for literature. She has studied Comparative Literature and French at UCLA, pursued a master’s in Publishing at NYU, and completed a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh.

Contact Me
Resume
Linkedin
Instagram
Good Reads
PhD Profile

Copyright © Fidan Cheikosman • Website By Brandsquare