ALI EMRE BILGIC 

A company’s report can contain plenty of statements about sustainability. But finding an environmental claim and deciding whether it is supported by evidence are two different tasks. That distinction is at the centre of my research on greenwashing. Working with my mentor and co-author, Dr. Emre Atlıer Olca, I explored a question about automated analysis: when a rule-based system extracts environmental, social and governance (ESG) claims from corporate reports, what does it mi

This summer, economics took me much further than a classroom. I travelled to Shenzhen, China, to represent Türkiye at the 2026 International Economics Olympiad, then spent four days exploring Hong Kong. My favourite part of the IEO was meeting students from 56 countries who shared my interest in economics. We came from different places, but we already had something to talk about. It was exciting to be around so many people my age who wanted to explore similar questions. I als

When people talk about migration, the conversation often revolves around numbers: how many people move, where they come from, and how they affect the economy. Reading Sam Selvon's The Lonely Londoners reminded me that migration is also deeply personal. Behind every statistic is someone trying to build a new life while holding on to pieces of an old one. Published in 1956, the novel follows Caribbean immigrants who arrive in London during what later became known as the Windrus

People often focus on big achievements. A championship trophy, a strong exam score, a completed research project, or a major milestone can easily attract attention. What usually stays invisible, however, is everything that happens before those moments. Most meaningful progress is not built through one extraordinary day. It grows through small actions repeated consistently over time. Basketball has taught me this lesson clearly. Improvement rarely arrives suddenly. Better shoo

The 2026 EuroLeague Final Four in Athens was more than a basketball event. As someone who has played basketball for years and follows European basketball closely, I naturally watched it through the eyes of a fan. But as I have become increasingly interested in economics, I found myself paying attention to something beyond the games themselves: the economic ecosystem surrounding modern sports. From airline tickets and hotels to sponsorship deals and broadcasting rights, major

Every spring, tennis fans focus on rankings, rivalries, and trophies. As clay season builds momentum and players prepare for one of the most demanding parts of the calendar, attention naturally turns toward performance. Who is improving? Who can handle pressure? Who will win the biggest titles? But behind every tournament trophy sits another fascinating story: economics. Professional tennis is not only a sport built on talent and discipline. It is also a global business ecosy

When studying economics, it is easy to focus on models, data, and long-term trends. But during periods of global tension, economic behavior becomes much more immediate and personal. One of the clearest examples of this is the price of gold. In times of uncertainty, gold is often seen as a safe store of value. As geopolitical tensions increase, so does demand. This is something I have observed not only in global markets, but also in everyday conversations in Turkey. People fol

I built MicroBudgetCoach as a simple tool to make saving more practical and visible in everyday life. Indeed, this work connects to my app, MicroBudgetCoach, where I explore how small financial habits can be built in practice. While learning about economics and financial systems, I realized that most people understand the idea of saving, but struggle with applying it consistently. The problem is not knowledge, but habit. I wanted to create something that helps bridge that gap

Personal growth, for me, has not been a single turning point but a gradual shift in perspective—moving from understanding systems to feeling responsible for how they affect others. My interest in economics initially began in an academic context. I was drawn to how systems function, how decisions are made, and how outcomes can be predicted. But over time, I started to notice a gap between theory and reality—particularly when it came to financial literacy. What is often discuss

This project focuses on making financial literacy more accessible and understandable for younger students. In collaboration with the Global Shapers Community – İzmir Hub, I worked with volunteers from different countries, including India and Thailand, to explore how financial education can be adapted across different cultural contexts. These discussions highlighted a common issue: while financial decisions shape everyday life, many students are never introduced to these conce

Before I was even born, my mom, dad, and sister lived in Milan for about 4 years. Growing up, I always listened to their stories about life there, the streets, the culture, the cafés, and the rhythm of the city. Even though I later visited Milan myself, I often caught myself thinking, I wish I had lived there with them. During the time they lived there, the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics took place. They attended both the opening and closing ceremonies and had the chance to watc

0.4 SecondsLast week, we were down by one point with only a few seconds left on the clock. I had the ball at the top of the key, and my lungs were burning from playing almost the entire game. In that split second, my brain didn’t consciously think about the textbooks I’d been reading or the online finance modules I’d been finishing late at night. But looking back at that moment, I realized it was the most intense lesson in microeconomics I’ve ever had. Most people think econo

Recent betting and match-fixing investigations in Turkish football, where more than 100 players were suspended and several referees were taken into custody, show that the problem is not only about individual wrongdoing but also about deeper economic and behavioral dynamics within the sport. When players, especially those in lower leagues, face strong short-term financial incentives while earning relatively modest salaries, the reward and risk balance becomes distorted and une

From Fabric to Factory: The Hidden Story Behind My Floral Basketball Shorts At first, my floral basketball shorts seemed like something new and modern, something made for a generation that mixes style and sport. But when I looked closer, I started to see how they are also connected to a much longer story. The shorts are made of polyester, a fabric that only became common in the twentieth century after the invention of synthetic fibers. That small label inside, the one that sa

There are more than 6000 teams competing worldwide this year. Even in my high school, there 3 teams competing, however, my friends and I are the youngest as 10th graders. We started quite well and at the end of the first month, our ranking is between 9-50!! Let me give you the links to apply for this completely free competition. If you like trading like I do, you should definitely convince your friends to create a group and find a mentor teacher and apply for it next year....

How Financial Literacy in Schools Can Reach Families TooInspired by Chief Economist, CAF - Development Bank of Latin America - Veronica Frisancho's article on World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/07/financial-education-students-to-parents/ When students learn about money, something surprising often happens: the learning doesn’t stop at the school gate. It travels home. This idea, called the ripple effect, describes how financial education taught in schoo

source: https://globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu/news/explore-the-deep-layers-of-esg-new-mini-sites-for-high-school-students/ ​ESG: Numbers Beyond ProfitsWhen I first encountered the Wharton Global Youth Program’s new ESG resources, one phrase struck me: “Investing with purpose is no longer optional, it is essential.” The idea that companies should be evaluated not only by financial results, but also by how they treat the planet, their employees, and their stakeholders, resonate

Over the past few years, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have become a popular way to shop. Instead of paying all at once, these tools allow people to split purchases into smaller payments over time—usually without interest. At first glance, it sounds like a helpful solution. But behind the flexibility, there may be more risk than many realize. BNPL can lead people to spend more than they can actually afford. Because the payments are small and spread out, it’s easy to thin

The trade tensions between the United States and China have led to a series of tariffs on each other’s goods. In response to U.S. tariffs, China has taken several actions. For example, it has imposed its own tariffs on American exports like soybeans, cars, and chemicals. This approach shows that Cihan tries to keep its strength and prestige in the world market while protecting its local industries. Moreover, China is focusing on becoming less dependent on American technology.

What’s Going On with the Consumer Boycott in Turkey?Lately, something big is happening in Turkey. People are starting to boycott certain brands and stores. That means they’re choosing not to buy from big companies, especially ones they believe are supporting the government. It’s not just about shopping — it’s a new way protesting against . According to The Guardian, the opposition leader Özgür Özel in Turkey is now calling for weekly rallies and an even bigger boycott. People