Summary

Dr Amira Abdelhamid’s research focuses on the intersection of gender, sexuality, citizenship, and sovereignty within post-colonial and authoritarian contexts, particularly in Egypt. Her work engages with and critiques postcolonial theory and re-centers the agency of the so-called global South in constituting the world we live in. Through decolonial and intersectional feminist approaches, she examines how gendered and sexualised discourses shape political subjectivities and contribute to the maintenance of authoritarianism. Her fieldwork and analysis explore the role of what she calls 'counter-revolutionary governmentality' in foreclosing the potential for deep coalitional politics and resistance. 

Dr Abdelhamid has over six years of teaching experience in International Relations. Her approach to teaching is focused on encouraging critical thinking, inclusivity, and student engagement. She encourages reflection and unlearning, using personal experiences to foster deep discussions on decolonisation, gender and sexuality, and global politics. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as International Thought, Key Themes in International Relations, and Exploring International Relations.

Biography

Dr Amira Abdelhamid is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Portsmouth. Dr Abdelhamid’s research critically engages with postcolonial and queer theory, exploring how political subjectivities are shaped by gendered and sexualised discourses that justify authoritarianism. Her work re-centers the agency of the global South in shaping international politics and has been published in journals such as International Political Sociology and the Journal of Resistance Studies.

Dr Abdelhamid earned her PhD in International Relations from the University of Sussex, where her dissertation explored counter-revolutionary governmentality in Egypt, examining how figures like the 'honorable citizen', 'male homosexual', and 'human rights defender' are constructed to suppress revolutionary aspirations. She continues to build on this research through a new forthcoming project that address queer resistance and transnational solidarity across the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) region.

Dr Abdelhamid was nominated for the University of Sussex’s 'Teaching to Disrupt' award and holds an Associate Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. Her teaching integrates her research, offering students a unique perspective on global politics from the Global South.

In addition to her academic work, Dr Abdelhamid has extensive experience in human rights advocacy. She continues to merge her academic insights with grassroots activism, contributing to both scholarly debates and practical strategies for fighting authoritarianism and promoting inclusive societies.