About

Dr. Yasemin Yazar is a freelance strategy consultant, teacher, researcher, and self-defence instructor who brings a rare combination of strategic insight, scientific rigour, and practical expertise to her work.

With ten years of experience at leading consultancies, she has supported clients across industries in navigating digitalisation, innovation, and demographic changes. Her work spans strategy, transformation, capability design, and upskilling. She blends agile and collaborative, user-centred methods to align stakeholders and deliver practical outcomes, while bridging strategy and execution.

Dr. Yazar holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology from the University of Cambridge, following earlier studies in Brain and Mind Sciences in London and Paris. Her academic background informs her analytical, curious, and structured approach to complexity. She excels at synthesising information across disciplines while maintaining clarity and focus on the broader context.

As a self-defence instructor, Dr. Yazar integrates psychological insight into physical training. She focuses not only on effective techniques but also on psychological readiness, situational awareness, and decision-making under pressure. Grounded in behavioural science and cognitive psychology, she helps people set boundaries, build confidence, and respond with control – whether in team workshops, professional development settings, or in local courses.

Her work is grounded in an intersectional and intercultural perspective, shaped by her own private, academic, geographic, and professional journey. This enables her to bring a nuanced understanding to group dynamics and team collaboration - an essential capability in today’s as increasingly complex perceived environments.

Photo: sydney Rae (Unsplash)

Above all, Dr. Yazar is driven by a commitment to meaningful progress and to empowering people with the insight, tools, and resilience needed to navigate complexity.

Vita

Professional Experience

Freelance consultant, instructor, researcher

Since 03/2024

Ypsilonya

Talent & Organisation Consulting at Accenture Strategy

2018 - 2024

Accenture GmbH

Innovation Consulting at The Garage

2017 - 2018

Deloitte GmbH

Kearney GmbH

Strategy Consultant

2015 - 2017

Doctoral Researcher, Behavioural & Cognitive Neuroscience Institute

2010 - 2014

University of Cambridge

Education

PhD Experimental Psychology / Cognitive Neuroscience

2010 - 2014

Cambridge, UK

University of Cambridge

MSc Brain & Mind Sciences

2009 - 2010

Ecole Normale Supérieure & Université Pierre et Marie Curie

Paris, France

MSc Brain & Mind Sciences

2008 - 2009

University College London

London, UK

BSc Clinical Linguistics

2004 - 2008

Universität Bielefeld

Bielefeld, Germany

ERASMUS exchange

2006 - 2007

Istanbul, Turkey

Boğaziçi University