Seyran Bostancı takes over management of the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe
Dr Seyran Bostancı has taken over as Executive Director of the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe on December 1, 2025. The sociologist previously worked at the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM). She follows Tomáš Sacher, who is leaving the foundation at his own request. Bostancı will strengthen the foundation's profile in the field of digital democracy, and continue to work with young people for an open, united, and pluralistic Europe.
“We are delighted to announce Seyran Bostancı as the new Executive Director of the Schwarzkopf Foundation. As a renowned education expert with relevant experience in civil society and a great passion for working with young people, she will successfully lead the foundation into the coming years,” explains Esra Kücük, Chair of the foundation’s board.
Bostancı was previously a research associate and research project manager at the DeZIM Institute, she earned her doctorate at Humboldt University in Berlin. Her academic teaching and publishing activities focused on the topics of racism, migration, education, and childhood. In addition, she is chair of the board of the Institut Kinderwelten für diskriminierungskritische Bildung e.V. (Institute for Discrimination-Critical Education) and works as a speaker and trainer on intersectional diversity. She founded the network Gemeinsamer Demokratieaufbau in der frühen Bildung (GeDAB) (Joint Democracy Building in Early Education).
“I see it as a great responsibility to further develop the foundation’s work at a time of profound social challenges. Together with young people, I want to actively shape the present and future of Europe – especially in digital spaces that are so crucial in their everyday lives. For me, it is essential that we involve a broad range of young people and strengthen their diverse perspectives,” Bostancı emphasizes.
Seyran Bostancı is new ED of the Schwarzkopf Foundation
Together with young people, I want to actively shape the present and future of Europe.