Nafisa Abdulhamid

Why Political Science?
Growing up in Mombasa, Kenya, I was exposed to political, security and humanitarian crises both in my country and regionally. My interest in, and passion for, international relations and political science stem from my most vivid memory of political violence in Kenya in December 2007 due to contested electoral results. Former President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the Kenyan presidential elections. Supporters of Raila Odinga, Kibaki’s main opponent, alleged electoral manipulation and engaged in mass protests and violent rampages against other ethnic groups. This plunged the country into fifty-nine days of targeted violence between the three biggest ethnic groups. Even at a young age, I wanted to understand why the election transpired the way it did, why national leaders perpetuated ethnic violence, and what ultimately motivated leaders to sign the national Reconciliation Act.  

My PhD research:
My personal experience shaped and influenced my doctoral research, which explored the extent to which the international civilian protection agenda has been adapted, localized, and realized in the African Union, both continentally and within the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). I spent the duration of my doctoral studies assessing and evaluating the primary categories of protection to determine whether civilians are effectively being protected during armed conflict. Throughout this process, I was exposed to the harsh realities of peacekeeping in an active conflict zone, specifically noting that women and girls are most vulnerable to all forms of civilian harm. My findings also highlighted the protracted, inconsistent, and uneven process of norm localization, which has both theoretical and real-life implications for civilian populations in highly volatile environments.

My experience at Dalhousie:
Dalhousie University, with its vibrant academic atmosphere, provided me with the kind of professional, productive, and supportive environment that enabled me to thrive both intellectually and personally. My doctoral journey was incredibly meaningful because of the “village” around me, led by my wonderful supervisor, Dr. David Black, who remains a very close friend and mentor even years after graduating. Other notable mentions include Drs. Arthur and Zaiotti, Tracy and Mary, and my fellow graduate students, all who supported me beyond the parameters of my dissertation.

What am I doing now?
I am currently a Senior Advisor at Global Affairs Canada, leading on corporate planning and reporting, gender equality, and results-based management.