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Portrait of Dr. Rafeef Ziadah

Dr. Rafeef Ziadah

Influential poet, human rights activist, and academic in Middle Eastern politics.

Born
1979
Born in
Beirut, Lebanon
Read Rafeef’s story2 videosAsk about Rafeef

Why Rafeef is here

Rafeef Ziadah is recognized for her impactful work as a poet and human rights activist, as well as her academic contributions in the field of politics and public policy with a focus on the Middle East. She employs her talents to advocate for Palestinian rights and to bring attention to the Palestinian struggle through her powerful spoken word performances and scholarly work.

Their story

Rafeef Ziadah is a Palestinian-Canadian poet, performance artist, and human rights activist known for her compelling spoken word artistry. She is also an esteemed academic, serving as a Senior Lecturer in Politics and Public Policy at King's College London. Her research spans political economy, gender, race, and the politics of transport infrastructures in the Arabian Peninsula.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Rafeef’s path.

  1. Born in 1979 in Beirut to Palestinian refugee parents.

  2. Earned a PhD in Politics from York University, Canada.

  3. Became a lecturer in comparative politics of the Middle East at SOAS University of London.

  4. Her paper ‘Surveillance, race, and social sorting in the United Arab Emirates’ won the best paper award in Politics Journal in 2021.

    Watch

  5. Released her spoken word album, 'Hadeel'.

    Watch

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Her spoken word performances, which have been recognized for their emotional power and depth, particularly the piece “We teach life, sir”.

  2. The release of three albums, with the latest titled “Three Generations,” celebrating the resilience of Palestinian women.

  3. Co-editing the book 'Revolutionary Feminisms' which explores concepts of political economy, gender, and race, particularly in the context of the Middle East and East Africa.

  4. Working as a researcher and campaign organizer for refugee rights and anti-poverty NGOs, contributing to the broader understanding and support for these causes.

  5. Her academic research on infrastructures and maritime politics in the Middle East, published in various reputable journals.

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Watch & listen

Rafeef in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Watch on YouTube↗

  • 02Watch on YouTube↗

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