Yuksel Genç is the General Coordinator of SAMER Field Research Center. Born and raised in Hatay, she holds a degree in International Relations from Istanbul University. As a university student, she became acquainted with Kurdish politics. She was part of the first Peace Group that came to Turkey at the initiative of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan in 1999. Ms Genc. worked as a journalist for many years, serving as the editor-in-chief of Özgür Gündem. She has worked at a field research center for the last 12 years.