The Africa Report, a leading publication on African affairs, has highlighted Zaynab El Bernoussi as one of the “10 African Scholars to Watch in 2026.” This recognition underscores El Bernoussi’s significant contributions to research, teaching, and public engagement on dignity politics, international relations, and the international political economy.
El Bernoussi currently serves as Associate Professor of Political Science at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University. Her academic career spans institutions across Morocco, the Gulf, and Europe. She has held posts at New York University Abu Dhabi, Al Akhawayn University, and Sciences Po Rabat, and has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Smith College.
Her research examines how dignity claims are politicized and mobilized in postcolonial contexts, shaping protest, state power, and global inequality. Her recent publication, International Political Economy and the Global South (Taylor & Francis, 2025), adds to her scholarly contributions.
She is also a recipient of multiple Fulbright and Carnegie awards, and in 2025, she was honored with the International Political Science Association’s Global South Award.
Beyond academia, El Bernoussi seeks to advance accountability and social change. “Thinking about dignity demands and accountability to people’s grievances is about levelling up the world, not only through redistribution, but by expanding possibilities of growth for all of us,” she says.
Her recognition follows Grieve Chelwa, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences, who was named to the 2025 list, and Naminata Diabate, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature at Cornell University and former Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellow at The Africa Institute, who was recognized in 2024. This reflects the outstanding scholarship of these academics and highlights The Africa Institute, Global Studies University’s commitment to fostering intellectual excellence in global African studies.
To explore the full list of distinguished scholars named to the 2026 edition, visit The Africa Report.
The Africa Report, a leading publication on African affairs, has highlighted Zaynab El Bernoussi as one of the “10 African Scholars to Watch in 2026.” This recognition underscores El Bernoussi’s significant contributions to research, teaching, and public engagement on dignity politics, international relations, and the international political economy.
The Africa Report, a leading publication on African affairs, has highlighted Zaynab El Bernoussi as one of the “10 African Scholars to Watch in 2026.” This recognition underscores El Bernoussi’s significant contributions to research, teaching, and public engagement on dignity politics, international relations, and the international political economy.
El Bernoussi currently serves as Associate Professor of Political Science at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University. Her academic career spans institutions across Morocco, the Gulf, and Europe. She has held posts at New York University Abu Dhabi, Al Akhawayn University, and Sciences Po Rabat, and has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Smith College.
Her research examines how dignity claims are politicized and mobilized in postcolonial contexts, shaping protest, state power, and global inequality. Her recent publication, International Political Economy and the Global South (Taylor & Francis, 2025), adds to her scholarly contributions.
She is also a recipient of multiple Fulbright and Carnegie awards, and in 2025, she was honored with the International Political Science Association’s Global South Award.
Beyond academia, El Bernoussi seeks to advance accountability and social change. “Thinking about dignity demands and accountability to people’s grievances is about levelling up the world, not only through redistribution, but by expanding possibilities of growth for all of us,” she says.
Her recognition follows Grieve Chelwa, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences, who was named to the 2025 list, and Naminata Diabate, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature at Cornell University and former Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellow at The Africa Institute, who was recognized in 2024. This reflects the outstanding scholarship of these academics and highlights The Africa Institute, Global Studies University’s commitment to fostering intellectual excellence in global African studies.
To explore the full list of distinguished scholars named to the 2026 edition, visit The Africa Report.
Subscribe to our mailing list and get the latest news from The Africa Institute
