Assist. Prof. Dr. Kaan Koçali | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Occupational Health and Safety at Istanbul Gelisim University | Turkey

Asst. Prof. Kaan Koçali is an accomplished academic and safety professional who has dedicated his career to advancing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in Turkey and beyond. Currently serving at Istanbul Gelişim University, he combines in-depth scientific knowledge with practical expertise to improve safety standards in high-risk sectors such as mining, transportation, and construction. With a background rooted in engineering, business, and safety sciences, Dr. Koçali has established himself as a thought leader in safety education, ergonomic design, and workplace risk assessment. Through research, teaching, and professional training, he continues to shape the next generation of safety professionals while contributing to scholarly dialogue on global safety practices.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Kaan Koçali’s educational background reflects a multidimensional and interdisciplinary academic pursuit that blends technical, managerial, and safety sciences. He completed his Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Safety at Istanbul Aydın University, where his doctoral dissertation focused on legal responsibilities and control systems for supervisors in the mining industry. He holds dual postgraduate degrees: one in Occupational Health and Safety (Interdisciplinary) and another in Mining Engineering, both of which have laid a strong foundation for his research. Additionally, Dr. Koçali holds undergraduate degrees in Mining Engineering from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa and Business Administration from Anadolu University. He is currently continuing his academic growth with a bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship at Istanbul Kültür University. This extensive educational journey enables him to work across domains of safety, policy, operations, and leadership with a systems-oriented mindset.

Experience

Over the course of his academic and professional career, Asst. Prof. Koçali has held a multitude of strategic positions within Istanbul Gelişim University, including Head of Department, Erasmus Program Coordinator, Internship Committee Member, Ethics Committee Member, and Performance Evaluation Commission Chairperson. These roles highlight his leadership in academic governance, curriculum development, and international collaboration. He has also served on quality assurance committees and vocational boards, contributing to institutional excellence in higher education. His teaching portfolio spans courses in technical safety applications, industrial fire protection, occupational diseases, biological risk factors, integrated management systems, and mining safety, delivered across associate and postgraduate levels. This rich blend of academic and administrative roles positions him as an impactful academic deeply involved in shaping educational policies and practical training modules.

Research Interests

Dr. Koçali’s research interests lie at the intersection of occupational health policy, ergonomic design, safety culture, work measurement, risk assessment, and social security systems. His interdisciplinary approach allows him to explore workplace safety through sociological, legal, and technical lenses. He is particularly interested in identifying risk patterns, analyzing occupational diseases by sector, and promoting ergonomic frameworks tailored to specific job environments, such as mining or aviation. His scholarly work frequently applies tools like the TOPSIS method, Fine-Kinney risk models, and anthropometric analyses, underscoring his analytical orientation toward solving real-world safety issues. Through empirical studies, he advocates for evidence-based policy changes and workplace reforms to mitigate hazards in complex working conditions.

Awards & Credentials

Though Dr. Koçali’s formal award titles are not listed, his professional credentials and certifications speak volumes about his dedication to excellence. He holds over 30 internationally recognized certifications, including from NEBOSH, IOSH, and multiple ISO system trainings (9001, 14001, 22000, 45001). These qualifications span disaster awareness, project management, safety auditing, risk management, and occupational leadership. Notably, he has earned titles such as A-Class Occupational Safety Specialist, Technical Auditor, and Instructor Certification in Workplace Safety. His training in Concordat Commissionership, Drone Piloting, and Risk-Based Demolition Techniques reflects his proactive adaptation to evolving industrial needs. These wide-ranging achievements make him a standout figure in both academic and applied safety environments.

Publications

• Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu’nun 2012-2020 Yılları Arası İş Kazaları Göstergelerinin Standardizasyonu
  Year : 2021
  Cited by : 46

• Calculation of Occupational Accident Indicators of Türkiye
  Year : 2021
  Cited by : 18

• Maden Kazalarında Sorumluluklar ve Kusur Oranları
  Year : 2021
  Cited by : 14

• Açık Ocak Maden İşletmelerinde İşçi Anketleri ile İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Kültürü ve Uygulamasının Araştırılması
  Year : 2018
  Cited by : 14

• Şırnak Kömür Madeni Kazası Işığında Kömür Madenciliğindeki Uygunsuzluklar Hakkında Öneriler
  Year: 2018
  Cited by: 10

• How to Perform a Risk Assessment Step by Step for Occupational Health and Safety
  Year: 2022
  Cited by: 7

• Legal Regulations Regarding Liabilities of Workers and Employers Related to Occupational Health and Safety in Mining
  Year: 2021
  Cited by: 7

• Madencilikte Proje Şirketlerinin Önemi
  Year: 2013
  Cited by: 6

• 18-65 Yaş Arası Kişilerin Antropometrik Verilerinin Belirlenmesi Üzerine Bir Alan Araştırması: Yükseköğretim Kurumu Uygulaması
  Year: 2021
  Cited by: 5

• Türkiye’de 2017 Yılında Yaşanan Kömür Madeni Faciası Sonrası Sektörün İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Açısından İrdelenmesi
  Year: 2019
  Cited by: 5

✅ Conclusion

Asst. Prof. Kaan Koçali is a standout candidate for any research or teaching-based recognition in Occupational Health and Safety. His academic rigor, hands-on certifications, institutional leadership, and published contributions collectively highlight his excellence. With his sustained efforts in risk management education, interdisciplinary safety systems, and social safety policymaking, he has significantly advanced the field’s academic and practical boundaries.