Morsiani
benedetta is currently a leverhulme research fellow at brunel university london, with a research project exploring the performance of black beauty among black british women since 1948. she previously worked as an assistant professor in cultural anthropology at northeastern university london, and before that completed a phd in cultural studies at the university of westminster. benedetta's research focuses on understanding the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of individuals belonging to black african minorities in europe. her work, particularly, investigates socio-cultural issues through the study of material culture and forms of symbolic representations, and their intersection with political and economic spheres. her leverhulme research project, entitled 'black beauty in britain since 1948: self-assertion and collective power', investigates the cultural, political, and economic significance of beauty practices employed by black british women since 1948. in particular, the research uncovers how black british women have used beauty practices to challenge normative assumptions about beauty, establish self-agency, convey subversive political messages, and create entrepreneurship opportunities. in so doing, the research transforms the existing scholarship on the history of beauty, which is hitherto a white history, and foregrounds the leading role of black beauty entrepreneurs in both activism and defining what beauty is. benedetta's current research both establishes and extends her doctoral research where she investigated the migratory experiences of young london congolese (drc). the project traced how young london congolese employed body performances to portray their cultural heritage and embody their racial, ethnic, gender and transnational identities. fashion and beauty practices offered a powerful portrayal of their life histories, socio-cultural memories, everyday life experiences and issues affecting black african diasporas in london. the project revealed the sphere of entanglement between identity issues, cultural and aesthetic rituals of the body, politics, and economics. the history and politics of beauty. the anthropology of the body. racial and gender politics. cultural heritage in diasporic contexts. migration, transnationalism and material culture. module convenor: 'peoples and cultures: an introduction to social and cultural anthropology', northeastern university london. 'global markets, local cultures', northeastern university london. module contributor: ‘people and things on the move: identity, place and memory in and across diasporic spaces’, university of westminster.
![Dr Benedetta Morsiani]()
Dr Benedetta Morsiani
Benedetta is currently a Leverhulme Research Fellow at Brunel University London, with a research project exploring the performance of Black beauty among Black British women since 1948. She previously worked as an Assistant Professor in Cultural Anthropology at Northeastern University London, and before that completed a PhD in Cultural Studies at the University of Westminster. Benedetta's research focuses on understanding the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of individuals belonging to Black African minorities in Europe. Her work, particularly, investigates socio-cultural issues through the study of material culture and forms of symbolic representations, and their intersection with political and economic spheres. Her Leverhulme research project, entitled 'Black beauty in Britain since 1948: self-assertion and collective power', investigates the cultural, political, and economic significance of beauty practices employed by Black British women since 1948. In particular, the research uncovers how Black British women have used beauty practices to challenge normative assumptions about beauty, establish self-agency, convey subversive political messages, and create entrepreneurship opportunities. In so doing, the research transforms the existing scholarship on the history of beauty, which is hitherto a white history, and foregrounds the leading role of Black beauty entrepreneurs in both activism and defining what beauty is. Benedetta's current research both establishes and extends her doctoral research where she investigated the migratory experiences of young London Congolese (DRC). The project traced how young London Congolese employed body performances to portray their cultural heritage and embody their racial, ethnic, gender and transnational identities. Fashion and beauty practices offered a powerful portrayal of their life histories, socio-cultural memories, everyday life experiences and issues affecting Black African diasporas in London. The project revealed the sphere of entanglement between identity issues, cultural and aesthetic rituals of the body, politics, and economics. The History and Politics of Beauty. The Anthropology of the Body. Racial and Gender Politics. Cultural Heritage in Diasporic Contexts. Migration, Transnationalism and Material Culture. Module convenor: 'Peoples and Cultures: An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology', Northeastern University London. 'Global Markets, Local Cultures', Northeastern University London. Module contributor: ‘People and Things on the Move: Identity, Place and Memory In and Across Diasporic Spaces’, University of Westminster.
Ahmed
i am a doctoral researcher from ghana, west africa, studying sociology and communications at the sociology and communications division of the department of social and political sciences, college of business, arts and social sciences, brunel university london. my research focuses on the underlying conduits and frames of communicating oil and gas related social, economic and environmental inequities to local communities by actors in ghana's oil and gas industry. my research project, threfore, offers rich insights into how ineffective communication strategies, improper relay of information, inadequate media coverage, and poor corporate social responsibility reinforce the inequities associated with oil and gas exploration in ghana. community livelihoods, ethical public relations practice, communication strategies, environmental sustainability, and participatory development. science communication, environmental communication, energy policy, corporate communincations/public relations, csr.
![Mr Chentiba Ahmed]()
Mr Chentiba Ahmed
I am a Doctoral Researcher from Ghana, West Africa, studying Sociology and Communications at the Sociology and Communications Division of the Department of Social and Political Sciences, College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences, Brunel University London. My research focuses on the underlying conduits and frames of communicating oil and gas related social, economic and environmental inequities to local communities by actors in Ghana's oil and gas industry. My research project, threfore, offers rich insights into how ineffective communication strategies, improper relay of information, inadequate media coverage, and poor corporate social responsibility reinforce the inequities associated with oil and gas exploration in Ghana. Community Livelihoods, Ethical Public Relations Practice, Communication Strategies, Environmental Sustainability, and Participatory Development. Science Communication, Environmental Communication, Energy Policy, Corporate Communincations/Public Relations, CSR.
Ansell
since i arrived at brunel in 1999, my interests have focused on social and cultural change in the lives of young people in the global south (particularly southern africa). i have researched the impacts of aids on young people’s migration; how education sectors are adjusting to the needs of aids-affected young people; and the impacts of aids on young people’s current livelihoods and future food security. recently, i have completed two research projects. the first examines the impacts of social cash transfers (for instance old age pensions and child grants) on generational relations in malawi and lesotho. the second investigates links between education and aspiration in remote rural areas of lesotho, laos and india. i have also authored a book on children, youth and development (second edition published 2016) and launched an ma programme on children, youth and international development and more recently undergraduate programmes in geography. social and cultural change in the lives of young people in the global south (particularly in southern africa); politics and impacts of global policy agendas (particularly in the areas of education, children’s rights and social protection); geographies of youth and childhood; scalar politics; participatory research. teaching responsibilities: programme convenor: bsc geography bsc human geography and anthropology ma children, youth and international development module convenor: understanding childhood and youth (pg) researching children, childhood and youth (pg) applied learning for children, youth and international development (pg) dissertation, children, youth and international development (pg)
![Professor Nicola Ansell]()
Professor Nicola Ansell
Since I arrived at Brunel in 1999, my interests have focused on social and cultural change in the lives of young people in the Global South (particularly southern Africa). I have researched the impacts of AIDS on young people’s migration; how education sectors are adjusting to the needs of AIDS-affected young people; and the impacts of AIDS on young people’s current livelihoods and future food security. Recently, I have completed two research projects. The first examines the impacts of social cash transfers (for instance old age pensions and child grants) on generational relations in Malawi and Lesotho. The second investigates links between education and aspiration in remote rural areas of Lesotho, Laos and India. I have also authored a book on Children, youth and development (second edition published 2016) and launched an MA programme on Children, Youth and International Development and more recently undergraduate programmes in Geography. Social and cultural change in the lives of young people in the Global South (particularly in southern Africa); politics and impacts of global policy agendas (particularly in the areas of education, children’s rights and social protection); geographies of youth and childhood; scalar politics; participatory research. Teaching Responsibilities: Programme convenor: BSc Geography BSc Human Geography and Anthropology MA Children, Youth and International Development Module convenor: Understanding Childhood and Youth (PG) Researching Children, Childhood and Youth (PG) Applied Learning for Children, Youth and International Development (PG) Dissertation, Children, Youth and International Development (PG)
Farquharson
my research interests lie at the intersection of military history, organisational learning, and game-based approaches to knowledge and engagement. building on extensive experience with military history, i maintain a long-standing focus on british and imperial twentieth-century history, particularly the education, training, and adaptation of armed forces during periods of strategic and technological change. drawing on theories of organisational culture and learning, my work explores how and why military organisations learn, the factors that enable or constrain that learning, and the ways in which institutions respond to shifting operational demands. more recently, my interest in games as vehicles for learning has led me to examine their value as tools for public engagement with historical themes. this includes investigating how game-based experiences shape understanding, interpretation, and memory of the past. in parallel, my research considers the evolution of wargaming as both a professional practice within defence and non-defence establishments and an emerging academic methodology. i am particularly interested in how wargames can be designed, implemented, and assessed to support decision-making, understand organisational cultures and integrate learning processes. military history, war studies, military education and training, military culture, institutional cultural change, imperial and commonwealth history, wargaming, organisational resilience. gd5614 - wargames analysis and research methods gd5616 - wargames design and delivery gd5612 - design project gc3600 - dissertation in global challenges
![Dr Iain Farquharson]()
Dr Iain Farquharson
My research interests lie at the intersection of military history, organisational learning, and game-based approaches to knowledge and engagement. Building on extensive experience with military history, I maintain a long-standing focus on British and Imperial twentieth-century history, particularly the education, training, and adaptation of armed forces during periods of strategic and technological change. Drawing on theories of organisational culture and learning, my work explores how and why military organisations learn, the factors that enable or constrain that learning, and the ways in which institutions respond to shifting operational demands. More recently, my interest in games as vehicles for learning has led me to examine their value as tools for public engagement with historical themes. This includes investigating how game-based experiences shape understanding, interpretation, and memory of the past. In parallel, my research considers the evolution of wargaming as both a professional practice within defence and non-defence establishments and an emerging academic methodology. I am particularly interested in how wargames can be designed, implemented, and assessed to support decision-making, understand organisational cultures and integrate learning processes. Military History, War Studies, Military Education and Training, Military Culture, Institutional Cultural Change, Imperial and Commonwealth History, Wargaming, Organisational Resilience. GD5614 - Wargames Analysis and Research Methods GD5616 - Wargames Design and Delivery GD5612 - Design Project GC3600 - Dissertation in Global Challenges
Abdalla
national and international security intelligence and policy social movement escalation terrorism and counterterrorism middle east and north africa (mena), west africa focused international security (postgraduate) terrorism and counterterrorism (level 6) conflict in the modern world (level 4)
![Dr Neveen Abdalla]()
Dr Neveen Abdalla
National and international security Intelligence and policy Social movement escalation Terrorism and counterterrorism Middle East and North Africa (MENA), west Africa focused International Security (Postgraduate) Terrorism and Counterterrorism (Level 6) Conflict in the Modern World (Level 4)
Jatula
my research is located in the general field of press and politics. i explore media studies, democracy and development. it is problem-based and relies on qualitative and empirical data collection methods. the key research focus is economic and political development with a particular emphasis on the political economy of the mass media. specifically, it investigates factors that foster or hinder democratic processes, political participation and social development. it also examines the role of communication in such spaces and societies. my overarching focus is press and politics; and how this interconnection underpins social changes and development in emerging democracies. my research investigates two related areas: the nature of the relationship of media systems to broader structure of society. specifically, it examines how media content reinforce, challenge or influence existing class and political relations. second, it looks at how ownership, advertising and state policies influence media production, distribution and consumption; with forward and backward linkages to public opinion, political culture and democracy. i am interested in the intersection of press, politics and development in emerging democracies in the global south. my speciality is in nigeria's politics and media studies. undergraduate jr2607- research in practice so1703 me, you or us co1603 journalism, communication and politics so1606 power, inequality and society postgraduate jr5626 news and development in the global south (africa) pp5619 research in social and political science co5515- issues and controversies in media and communication
![Dr Victor Jatula]()
Dr Victor Jatula
My research is located in the general field of press and politics. I explore media studies, democracy and development. It is problem-based and relies on qualitative and empirical data collection methods. The key research focus is economic and political development with a particular emphasis on the political economy of the mass media. Specifically, it investigates factors that foster or hinder democratic processes, political participation and social development. It also examines the role of communication in such spaces and societies. My overarching focus is press and politics; and how this interconnection underpins social changes and development in emerging democracies. My research investigates two related areas: the nature of the relationship of media systems to broader structure of society. Specifically, it examines how media content reinforce, challenge or influence existing class and political relations. Second, it looks at how ownership, advertising and state policies influence media production, distribution and consumption; with forward and backward linkages to public opinion, political culture and democracy. I am interested in the intersection of press, politics and development in emerging democracies in the Global South. My speciality is in Nigeria's politics and media studies. Undergraduate JR2607- Research in Practice SO1703 Me, You or Us CO1603 Journalism, Communication and Politics SO1606 Power, Inequality and Society Postgraduate JR5626 News and Development in the Global South (Africa) PP5619 Research in Social and Political Science CO5515- Issues and Controversies in Media and Communication