Dr dilan Kilic Onar, University of Southampton, Turkey
Dr. Dilan KΔ±lΔ±Γ§ Onar is a dedicated psychologist and researcher specializing in sexual health and romantic relationships. She holds a BA in Psychology from Hacettepe University, an MSc in Health Psychology, and is pursuing a PhD in Psychology at the University of Southampton. Her research interests include women’s sexuality, communication about sexual preferences, and sexual satisfaction in relationships. Dr. KΔ±lΔ±Γ§ Onar has published extensively and presented at international conferences. She also has teaching experience and has volunteered as a psychologist in disaster relief efforts. π§ β€οΈππ©βπ«β¨
Publication profeile
google scholar
Qualifications
Graduating from Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology ππΉπ· in 2013, the journey continued at Ege University in Izmir, Turkey, where a Master’s in Family Counselling was completed between 2014-2016 π©βππͺ. Further advancing in the field, an MSc in Health Psychology was earned from the University of Southampton in the UK during 2017-2018 ππ¬π§. Currently, the pursuit of a Ph.D. in Psychology at the same institution has been ongoing since April 8, 2019 π§ π, demonstrating a deep commitment to psychological research and practice.
Experience
With a robust background in psychology, I’ve worked on various projects, including my MSc under Prof. Roger Ingham and Prof. Haluk Arkar, and my PhD under Prof. Cynthia Graham and Dr. Heather Armstrong. Since 2019, I’ve been part of the CCCAHP and an affiliate of the CSHR. My roles included being a Research Assistant under Verena Klein and a Volunteer Researcher for a project on sexual re-partnering in later life. As a teaching assistant at the University of Southampton (2020-2023), I taught and marked various courses. Additionally, I’ve served as a psychologist in Turkey and contributed to disaster relief efforts. πππ§
Research Interests ππ
My research focuses on sexual health and romantic relationships, emphasizing women’s sexuality and pleasure. Key areas include communication about sexual preferences, addressing sexual problems, and maintaining sexual satisfaction over time. πΈπ¬β€οΈ
Presentations π€π
Presented at international conferences including the International Academy of Sex Research and the World Association for Sexual Health on topics like women’s solo masturbation and mutual masturbation. ππ£οΈ
Awards
In 2020, he received funding from the COST-funded Action CA18124 “European Sexual Medicine Network” (ESMN) Training School, and I attended the European Research Workshop in Sexual Medicine from October 18-20, 2021, in Porto, Portugal π΅πΉ. He was honored with the Young Investigator Award by the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy in November 2020 π. Additionally, I participated in the International Postdoc Week, a research retreat at the psychology department of Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany, from October 24-28, 2022 π©πͺ. These experiences have significantly enriched my research and professional development in sexual medicine and psychology ππ‘.
Research focus
Dilan KΔ±lΔ±Γ§ Onar’s research focuses on sexual health, particularly within the context of relationships. Her work explores women’s experiences, motives, and perceptions of masturbation while in a relationship, as well as the role of mutual masturbation in enhancing sexual satisfaction and sexual self-esteem. By systematically reviewing qualitative studies, she sheds light on how these intimate behaviors contribute to overall relationship dynamics and individual sexual well-being. Her studies aim to provide a deeper understanding of sexual practices and their psychological and emotional impacts, highlighting the importance of open communication and mutual satisfaction in relationships. πππ
Publication top notes
What does research tell us about womenβs experiences, motives and perceptions of masturbation within a relationship context?: A systematic review of qualitative studies
The Role of Mutual Masturbation within Relationships: Associations with Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Self-Esteem