Ms Umay Sener

Biography

Umay Şener is a PhD researcher at Cardiff University School of Law and Politics, specialising in financial crimes, with a particular focus on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and data sharing frameworks. Her doctoral research examines the implications of FATF recommendations on data sharing across the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UK, exploring the intersection of data sharing and privacy law.

Alongside her doctoral studies, Umay serves as a Graduate Tutor at Cardiff University School of Law and Politics. Since July 2025, she also serves as Guest Editor for a special issue of the Journal of Economic Criminology (Elsevier), overseeing the peer review process and editorial coordination.

Prior to joining Cardiff University, Umay worked in the financial sector in Turkey, holding compliance and audit roles at two of Turkey's leading banks. In her most recent role as Compliance Standards and Adjustments Assistant Manager, she led GAP analyses between Turkish AML regulations and global policies, managed KYC on-boarding and correspondent banking checks, and acted as Deputy Anti-Bribery and Corruption Officer. Before that, she worked as an AML/CTF Auditor, conducting compliance audits across a major financial group, including subsidiaries in investment, leasing and insurance sectors.

Umay holds an LL.M in Competition Law from King's College London (Merit), a Law degree (Honour) and a minor in Political Sciences and Public Administration from Bilkent University, Ankara. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).

Honours and awards

• 2023 – Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
• 2019 – LL.M in Competition Law, King's College London (Merit)
• 2017 – Graduated with High Honours, Bilkent University
• 2018 – Jean-Monnet Scholarship, awarded by the European Union for postgraduate programmes in the EU