African Studies Research Group

Our multi-disciplinary group takes a broad view of African Studies and includes those whose work relates to the cultures and societies of the African diaspora. We do cutting-edge research on issues relating to development, law, the history and legacies of colonialism on the continent, conflict, identity and social movements.

our group directly contributes to the university’s 2030 strategies by enhancing the education and student experience. We provide both formal and informal mechanisms for promoting collaborations and dialogue between Brunel academics that are engaged in the study of Africa. This includes a research seminar series, mentoring scheme and informal networking lunches. We focus on excellence in research and enhancing the wider university community. We enhances research led teaching, which directly impacts the education and student experience. This includes modules about Africa as well as field trips for our students.

Our research projects

Development on the Margins: Violence and State-building on an African Frontier - Dr Hannah Whittaker

This project examines for the first time the long-term history of frontier development in Africa. Taking the northern Kenyan borderland as a case study, the research details the connections between development, violence and state-building across the colonial and postcolonial periods. It makes major interventions in the fields of borderlands studies and the history of development, and it has significant implications for global debates about development in other liminal spaces, especially the efficacy of the current securitization agenda.

History, Memory and Heritage in Britain and Africa - Dr Hannah Whittaker and Dr Inge Dornan

This collaborative project is a comparative examination of memorials to the British empire in Britain, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. The project focuses on the use and abuse of imperial memory, exploring the ways that empire has been remembered, articulated and forgotten in public monuments across Britain and Africa.

Black Beauty in Britain since 1948: self-assertion and collective power - Dr Benedetta Morsiani

This project 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.

Rise of a Teenage Leader: Sophia Williams and the Fight against Apartheid - Dr Monica Fernandes

This project explores the intersectionality between the youth movement and women’s movement in South Africa in the 1950s, through analysing the political trajectory and leadership of a young, coloured woman during apartheid, Sophia Williams. This research contributes to limited scholarship focused on the youth movement in the 1950s and challenges scholars to explore the role of mentors in guiding the newer generation of political leaders and the intrinsic network and connections between the youth and women’s movement.

Women fighting apartheid: Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and the Black Sash, 1952- 1962 - Dr Monica Fernandes

This project examines the emergence of two of the biggest South African women’s organisations in the 1950s, the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and the Black Sash, and how they ensured women had a presence and voice in anti-apartheid activism, both within South Africa and internationally. This research makes a significant and original contribution to the body of knowledge in women’s studies, African studies and history, as it explores the under researched transnational impact of both organisations, forcing scholars to review and rethink women’s political contribution in South African politics and history.

Our members

Leaders

i am a historian of modern africa, with a particular focus on the borderlands of kenya, somalia, and south sudan. my research explores connections between frontier security, state-led development, and identity formation. i am interested in how colonial methods of population control—such as forced villagization and collective punishment—have been internalized and adapted by post-independence states. by combining archival research with oral testimonies, my work challenges hegemonic narratives that cast frontier communities as 'ungovernable' or 'inherently criminal'. instead, i am interested in how these populations have historically negotiated their rights and citizenship from the margins. my recent work also extends into the politics of memorialization, examining how the british public and state contest or celebrate their imperial past through colonial statues and monuments. before joining politics and history at brunel in september 2013, i taught history at soas. i completed my phd in african history at soas in 2011. my research is organized around several interrelated themes that bridge the colonial and post-independence eras in northeast africa: 1. state violence and the 'shifta' conflict in kenya: a major part of my research focuses on the shifta conflict (1963–1968) in kenya. i move away from purely nationalist interpretations of the war to explore its socioeconomic dynamics, showing how it combined a liberation struggle with local-level resource competition. i have documented the enduring legacy of forced villagization—whereby the state effectively criminalized pastoralism and created a cycle of impoverishment that continues to inform northern kenyans' sense of community victimization. 2. securitized development: i examine how development has frequently served as a mechanism for security and state control rather than purely for social welfare. my work on the dixey water and grazing scheme in northern kenya demonstrates how colonial officials used environmental conservation as a pretext for anchoring nomadic populations and monitoring borders. this research highlights the continuities in how modern states still attempt to broadcast power through infrastructure in 'ungoverned spaces'. 3. youth and politics: i am interested in how the state constructs problematic identities, focusing specifically on somali youth in kenya. my research traces the historical roots of the 'spectre of radicalization' arguing that current typecasting of young somali males as security threats is a direct continuation of colonial -era ethnic profiling that dismissed legitimate political grievances as 'banditry'. i have also researched the role of education in state-building, exemplified by my study of rumbek secondary school in south sudan. i examine how schoolboy peer cultures and education-related migration contributed to a distinct southern sudanese political consciousness that eventually challenged northern domination and the configuration of the state. 4. urban somali history: beyond the frontier, i have researched the long-term presence of somalis in urban centres like nairobi. my work uncovers a genealogy of residence dating back to 1915, showing how urban somalis have used the law to negotiate their rights to tenure and settlement in the face of colonial atempts to relocate them to 'nomadic camps'. new projects: 1. statue wars and the afterlives of imperial monuments: my recent collaborative research extends into the politics of memorialisation and the global statue wars that have erupted since 2020. this project explores how monuments are not fixed in stone but are constantly reinterpreted, toppled, or repurposed to serve contemporary political agendas. the focus for this research is the lendy brothers—charles and edward—whose memorials across the uk, sierra leone and zimbabwe became unlikely flashpoints in the 2020 black lives matter protests. this work uncovers a stark disconnect between historical reality and modern myth-making. 2. the silent history of the somali youth league (syl) in kenya: i am currently developing a new project exploring the clandestine history of the somali youth league (syl) in kenya. while often framed as a pan-somali nationalist party based in mogadishu, the syl in kenya operated as a vital, and often suppressed, movement for borderland rights. this project draws on the broader history of clandestine movements in colonial africa to understand how the legacy of syl resistance informs contemporary politics in the horn of africa. african history kenya and somalia colonialism and decolonization development borders and frontiers undergraduate programmes module convenor africa and the world (yr 1) colonialism and decolonization in africa (yr 2) violence and conflict in eastern africa (yr 3)

Dr Hannah Whittaker

Senior Lecturer in Modern African History

I am a historian of modern Africa, with a particular focus on the borderlands of Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. My research explores connections between frontier security, state-led development, and identity formation. I am interested in how colonial methods of population control—such as forced villagization and collective punishment—have been internalized and adapted by post-independence states. By combining archival research with oral testimonies, my work challenges hegemonic narratives that cast frontier communities as 'ungovernable' or 'inherently criminal'. Instead, I am interested in how these populations have historically negotiated their rights and citizenship from the margins. My recent work also extends into the politics of memorialization, examining how the British public and state contest or celebrate their imperial past through colonial statues and monuments. Before joining Politics and History at Brunel in September 2013, I taught History at SOAS. I completed my PhD in African History at SOAS in 2011. My research is organized around several interrelated themes that bridge the colonial and post-independence eras in Northeast Africa: 1. State violence and the 'shifta' conflict in Kenya: A major part of my research focuses on the Shifta conflict (1963–1968) in Kenya. I move away from purely nationalist interpretations of the war to explore its socioeconomic dynamics, showing how it combined a liberation struggle with local-level resource competition. I have documented the enduring legacy of forced villagization—whereby the state effectively criminalized pastoralism and created a cycle of impoverishment that continues to inform northern Kenyans' sense of community victimization. 2. Securitized development: I examine how development has frequently served as a mechanism for security and state control rather than purely for social welfare. My work on the Dixey water and grazing scheme in northern Kenya demonstrates how colonial officials used environmental conservation as a pretext for anchoring nomadic populations and monitoring borders. This research highlights the continuities in how modern states still attempt to broadcast power through infrastructure in 'ungoverned spaces'. 3. Youth and politics: I am interested in how the state constructs problematic identities, focusing specifically on Somali youth in Kenya. My research traces the historical roots of the 'spectre of radicalization' arguing that current typecasting of young Somali males as security threats is a direct continuation of colonial -era ethnic profiling that dismissed legitimate political grievances as 'banditry'. I have also researched the role of education in state-building, exemplified by my study of Rumbek Secondary School in South Sudan. I examine how schoolboy peer cultures and education-related migration contributed to a distinct southern Sudanese political consciousness that eventually challenged northern domination and the configuration of the state. 4. Urban Somali history: Beyond the frontier, I have researched the long-term presence of Somalis in urban centres like Nairobi. My work uncovers a genealogy of residence dating back to 1915, showing how urban Somalis have used the law to negotiate their rights to tenure and settlement in the face of colonial atempts to relocate them to 'nomadic camps'. New Projects: 1. Statue wars and the afterlives of imperial monuments: My recent collaborative research extends into the politics of memorialisation and the global statue wars that have erupted since 2020. This project explores how monuments are not fixed in stone but are constantly reinterpreted, toppled, or repurposed to serve contemporary political agendas. The focus for this research is the Lendy brothers—Charles and Edward—whose memorials across the UK, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe became unlikely flashpoints in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. This work uncovers a stark disconnect between historical reality and modern myth-making. 2. The silent history of the Somali Youth League (SYL) in Kenya: I am currently developing a new project exploring the clandestine history of the Somali Youth League (SYL) in Kenya. While often framed as a pan-Somali nationalist party based in Mogadishu, the SYL in Kenya operated as a vital, and often suppressed, movement for borderland rights. This project draws on the broader history of clandestine movements in colonial Africa to understand how the legacy of SYL resistance informs contemporary politics in the Horn of Africa. African history Kenya and Somalia Colonialism and decolonization Development Borders and frontiers Undergraduate Programmes Module convenor Africa and the World (Yr 1) Colonialism and Decolonization in Africa (Yr 2) Violence and Conflict in Eastern Africa (Yr 3)

Members

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

Research Fellow - Leverhulme

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.

Professor Nicola Ansell

Head of Department / Professor - Human Geography

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: Module convenor: Understanding Childhood and Youth (UG and PG) Applied Learning for Children, Youth and International Development (PG)

Dr Iain Farquharson

Lecturer in Global Challenges – Security Pathway Lead

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 Neveen Abdalla

Senior Lecturer in International Relations (Defence and Intelligence)

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 Victor Jatula

Senior Lecturer in Communications and Journalism

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

Collaborative partners

Maurice Hutton- Manchester University