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Portrait of Rana Barakat

Rana Barakat

Palestinian historian and director of Birzeit University Museum

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Why Rana is here

Pioneer in resisting colonial narratives through history and cultural preservation.

Their story

Rana Barakat is a Palestinian historian and academic, recognized for her dedication to researching and teaching about colonialism, nationalism, and cultural resistance. A professor at Birzeit University, her work emphasizes the significance of memory in the Palestinian resistance against erasure, particularly through her research on Lifta, a depopulated Palestinian village. Her academic publications and activism highlight the historical struggles of Palestinians under the Israeli occupation, making her an essential figure in defending Palestinian identity and rights.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Rana’s path.

  1. Birzeit University

    Serves as associate professor of history and director of the university museum.

  2. Earned PhD from the University of Chicago

    Focused on the early 20th-century resistance movements in Palestine.

  3. Research on Lifta and the Nakba

    Her ongoing book project on Lifta tackles the village's depopulation during the Nakba and critiques the "museumification" of Palestinian spaces.

  4. Prominent Writer and Speaker

    Published numerous articles in journals such as Journal of Palestine Studies and Jerusalem Quarterly.

  5. Active in Palestine’s Academic and Activist Circles

    Engaged with institutions and movements to promote Palestinian heritage, memory, and anti-colonial scholarship.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Preservation of Palestinian Memory

    Through her research on Lifta, Barakat has focused on the ongoing erasure of Palestinian spaces and how historical narratives are controlled by settler colonial powers.

  2. Challenging Colonial Narratives

    Her work critiques how colonialism frames Palestinian resistance, bringing attention to the political and cultural suppression of Palestinians.

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  3. Advocate for Historical Justice

    Through her academic work, Barakat emphasizes the importance of history in understanding the current political struggle and the need for restitution for Palestinians.

  4. Promoter of Cultural Resistance

    Barakat has been a strong advocate for using cultural memory as a form of resistance against the occupation of Palestine.

  5. Engagement in International Academic Discourse

    Barakat regularly participates in conferences and workshops, bringing the Palestinian narrative into global academic discussions on colonialism and resistance.

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Rana in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Challenging Colonial Narratives↗

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