Joy in Academia Joy in Academia

In this episode, we talk to Daphina Misiedjan, an assistant professor at Erasmus University. Daphina Misiedjan is a law academic and member of the prestigious Young Academy (KNAW). Her work focuses on climate injustice and how this further affects already marginalized groups. Join us as we chat about her academic career that mostly revolves around bridging the gap between science and society and making a positive change for marginalized communities.


Interviewers: Daudi van Veen & Zakia Essanhaji

In this episode, we talk to Jamila Mascat, an assistant professor at Utrecht University. Jamila Mascat is a philosopher whose work centers political philosophy and postcolonial studies. Join us as we chat about her journey through philosophy, raising awareness for Gaza in university spaces, and joy as a political feeling.

Interviewers: Onur Sahin & Zakia Essanhaji

In this episode, we talk to Durwin Lynch, a PhD candidate at Athena Institute (VU) and a researcher in the Representing Europe project. Join us as we chat about his research on healing from our colonial past, the connection between spirituality and joy, bridging science and community and how these topics relate to his involvement with the grass-roots initiative the “Keti Koti Table”.

Interviewers: Zehra Colak & Daudi van Veen

In this episode, we talk to Sarah Ahannach (UAntwerpen), and Samira Azabar (Radboud University), both post-doctoral researchers but from entirely different disciplines. Join us, as we chat about their shared experiences on what it means to be a committed activist scholar, why they find this essential, and how it is perceived in academia. 

Interviewers: Dounia Bourabain & Zakia Essanhaji

In this episode, we talked to Judi Mesman, a full professor at Leiden University. Judi Mesman is a developmental scientist and NWO Stevin Prize winner whose work focuses on social justice themes. Join us as we chat about her academic journey, which increasingly involves community building and public outreach efforts such as described in this Volkskrant article.

Interviewers: Daudi van Veen & Onur Sahin

In this episode, we talk to Nozizwe Dube, a PhD researcher at Maastricht University. Nozizwe Dube studies intersectional discrimination in EU equality law and founded the decolonizing student movement at her former university KU Leuven. Join us as we chat about her experience as a racialized academic in the discipline of law, the importance of representation, and her active role in making that happen.  

Interviewers: Dounia Bourabain and Zehra Colak