Since 2005 she has worked on several research projects about the plight of displaced persons on both sides of the island and the associated question of property rights within the context of the Cyprus problem. She has numerous publications related to these topics. Gürel has also been involved in facilitating inter-communal dialogue on property issues, including at the level of the UN-sponsored negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Recently she has led a PRIO Cyprus Centre team on a project entitled ‘Internal Displacement in Cyprus: Mapping the Consequences of Civil and Military Strife’, (www.prio-cyprus-displacement.net). Her more recent research engagement concerns the issue of hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation offshore Cyprus.

Gürel was part of the bi-communal team that carried out in 2003-2004 PRIO’s public information project on the so-called Annan Plan (the UN Plan for ‘the Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem’). The project, which covered both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, was aimed at dissemination of objective and easily understood information on the Plan before it was put to separate simultaneous referenda on both sides of the island on 24 April 2004. Project’s activities included running a website (http://www.prio.no/cyprusdecides), production and distribution of booklets and leaflets, holding of public seminars and discussion, and TV and radio presentations.