Özlem Altıok teaches Women's and Gender Studies and International Studies at the University of North Texas. Her research and teaching interests centre on politics, gender, international development, immigration and social movements in and across Turkey, Europe and the Middle East.

She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Community and Environmental Sociology from the University of Wisconsin, a master's degree in Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University, and bachelor's degree in International Relations from Istanbul Bilgi University.