Third-Year GPISH Students Give Dissertation Presentations

The presentations, on 22 and 26 November, were made in person at the AKC, after going online during the pandemic.

Students on the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH) conceptualise, design and conduct research on a range of interesting topics in locations around the world during the summer of their second year. It is now an annual tradition for students to share their dissertation findings through presentations made to fellow students, faculty and staff of the Institute.

This year the event returned to the Aga Khan Centre, after being conducted online in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The occasion was an opportunity for the IIS community to show its encouragement and appreciation of the hard work that the students have put in, as well as providing helpful feedback on the shape and scope of their projects.

Topics covered exemplified the broad academic scope of the GPISH programme and included women’s rights, identity, refugees, development, digital issues, diversity and pluralism. The list of project titles can be found below.

Dr Laila Halani, Head of the IIS Department of Graduate Studies, said of the students’ work: “This field research is the culmination of two years of intensive immersion in various facets, historical and contemporary, of Muslim societies. The rich and diverse topics are testimony to a deep commitment to understanding and exploring issues of contemporary relevance for Muslim societies and I hope that the insights and perspectives gained will inform their future engagements with their own communities and beyond”.

Congratulations to all students on their compelling, thoughtful presentations.