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As part of its Faculty Seminar Series resuming this fall, The Africa Institute hosted a compelling seminar with scholar Zaynab El Bernoussi, titled ‘Contesting Precarity from the Margins: The Politics of Dignity and Citizenship in South Africa and Morocco,’ on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in The Africa Institute’s Auditorium.
As a distinguished scholar whose expertise spans dignity politics, international relations, and the international political economy, El Bernoussi’s seminar cast a critical spotlight on the politics of dignity and citizenship, offering fresh perspectives through the lens of two distinct postcolonial African settings: Tighza, Morocco, and Limpopo, South Africa. Her presentation illuminated the ways in which issues related to dignity and citizenship serve as powerful drivers for mobilization among marginalized populations. Despite the existence of social welfare programs, authorities frequently overlook or dismiss the dignity and citizenship concerns of the less fortunate, often leading to various forms of resistance and engagement.
The seminar underscored how this dismissal can trigger alternative forms of governance, with youth actively emphasizing and advocating for these neglected concerns. Importantly, the event emphasized the limitations of conventional political mechanisms, particularly within the advanced economies of the Global South.
“Today’s seminar provided a unique opportunity to delve into the intricate dynamics of dignity and citizenship politics in postcolonial Africa. It is crucial that we recognize the voices of marginalized populations and their struggle for recognition. This talk aimed to highlight the need for innovative approaches to address these pressing issues,” said El Bernoussi, whose research has a singular focus on the politicization of dignity demands within the political evolution of the Global South, with a specific emphasis on North Africa and the Middle East.
“The cases of Morocco and South Africa are often considered incomparable but such acts can prevent us from cross-comparing societies in the African continent in their diversity and that could help us understand divergent trajectories of societal and political development,” she added.
El Bernoussi’s academic journey includes a Master’s in Finance (MiF) from Instituto de Empresa, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University, and a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain. Prior to her current role at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), she served as an Assistant Professor and Program Director at Al Akhawayn University and Sciences Po Rabat. Her scholarship extends beyond the confines of traditional academia, as she has conducted research as a visiting scholar at prestigious institutions such as Smith College and Harvard University.
In 2021, she authored her first book, “Dignity in the Egyptian Revolution: Protest and Demand during the Arab Uprisings,” published by Cambridge University Press. Active in global academia and international relations, El Bernoussi holds the position of Vice-Chair of the Global South Caucus of International Studies at the International Studies Association (ISA) and is a founding member of the Security in Context network. She is affiliated with the Rabat Social Studies Institute (RSSI) and has been the recipient of prestigious grants, including Fulbright and Carnegie awards. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, El Bernoussi received the Arab Prize from the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) in 2015. She also holds editorial board positions in African Security and PS: Political Science & Politics journals. Her extensive international experiences, having resided in Morocco, the US, Spain, Italy, and China, enrich her insights into global affairs.
The seminar was moderated by Emery Kalema, Assistant Professor of History at The Africa Institute, who facilitated the discussions and enhanced the overall learning experience for attendees.
Through events such as these seminar series, The Africa Institute reaffirms its commitment to serving as a center for the study and research of Africa and its diaspora. It continues its dedication to fostering a new generation of critical thinkers in African and African Diaspora studies.
For more information about The Africa Institute and upcoming events, please visit our events page.
As part of its Faculty Seminar Series resuming this fall, The Africa Institute hosted a compelling seminar with scholar Zaynab El Bernoussi, titled ‘Contesting Precarity from the Margins: The Politics of Dignity and Citizenship in South Africa and Morocco,’ on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in The Africa Institute’s Auditorium.
As part of its Faculty Seminar Series resuming this fall, The Africa Institute hosted a compelling seminar with scholar Zaynab El Bernoussi, titled ‘Contesting Precarity from the Margins: The Politics of Dignity and Citizenship in South Africa and Morocco,’ on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in The Africa Institute’s Auditorium.
As a distinguished scholar whose expertise spans dignity politics, international relations, and the international political economy, El Bernoussi’s seminar cast a critical spotlight on the politics of dignity and citizenship, offering fresh perspectives through the lens of two distinct postcolonial African settings: Tighza, Morocco, and Limpopo, South Africa. Her presentation illuminated the ways in which issues related to dignity and citizenship serve as powerful drivers for mobilization among marginalized populations. Despite the existence of social welfare programs, authorities frequently overlook or dismiss the dignity and citizenship concerns of the less fortunate, often leading to various forms of resistance and engagement.
The seminar underscored how this dismissal can trigger alternative forms of governance, with youth actively emphasizing and advocating for these neglected concerns. Importantly, the event emphasized the limitations of conventional political mechanisms, particularly within the advanced economies of the Global South.
“Today’s seminar provided a unique opportunity to delve into the intricate dynamics of dignity and citizenship politics in postcolonial Africa. It is crucial that we recognize the voices of marginalized populations and their struggle for recognition. This talk aimed to highlight the need for innovative approaches to address these pressing issues,” said El Bernoussi, whose research has a singular focus on the politicization of dignity demands within the political evolution of the Global South, with a specific emphasis on North Africa and the Middle East.
“The cases of Morocco and South Africa are often considered incomparable but such acts can prevent us from cross-comparing societies in the African continent in their diversity and that could help us understand divergent trajectories of societal and political development,” she added.
El Bernoussi’s academic journey includes a Master’s in Finance (MiF) from Instituto de Empresa, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University, and a PhD in Political and Social Sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain. Prior to her current role at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), she served as an Assistant Professor and Program Director at Al Akhawayn University and Sciences Po Rabat. Her scholarship extends beyond the confines of traditional academia, as she has conducted research as a visiting scholar at prestigious institutions such as Smith College and Harvard University.
In 2021, she authored her first book, “Dignity in the Egyptian Revolution: Protest and Demand during the Arab Uprisings,” published by Cambridge University Press. Active in global academia and international relations, El Bernoussi holds the position of Vice-Chair of the Global South Caucus of International Studies at the International Studies Association (ISA) and is a founding member of the Security in Context network. She is affiliated with the Rabat Social Studies Institute (RSSI) and has been the recipient of prestigious grants, including Fulbright and Carnegie awards. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, El Bernoussi received the Arab Prize from the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) in 2015. She also holds editorial board positions in African Security and PS: Political Science & Politics journals. Her extensive international experiences, having resided in Morocco, the US, Spain, Italy, and China, enrich her insights into global affairs.
The seminar was moderated by Emery Kalema, Assistant Professor of History at The Africa Institute, who facilitated the discussions and enhanced the overall learning experience for attendees.
Through events such as these seminar series, The Africa Institute reaffirms its commitment to serving as a center for the study and research of Africa and its diaspora. It continues its dedication to fostering a new generation of critical thinkers in African and African Diaspora studies.
For more information about The Africa Institute and upcoming events, please visit our events page.
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