Asmaa Meftah
Postgraduate Researcher
Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
About me:
Meftah Asmaa is currently a PhD student at the Department of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter. Asmaa's research focuses on the intersections of world literature, postcolonial theory and environmental criticism. She is particularly interested in Arabic literature and culture (Mahmoud Darwish, Ghassan Kanafani, Tawfiq Ziyad, Raja Shehadeh and other Palestinian writers ) and Eco-postcolonial theory or what is known as green post-colonialism.
At present, she is teaching the module of Histories of the Middle East as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies.
She is also mentoring undergraduate students at Career Mentor Scheme, University of Exeter.
Research Project:
My research focus is ecocriticism, or environmental literary and cultural criticism. My primary research interests lie in the convergence between Arabic literature, eco-postcolonial theory and environmental criticism. I’m particularly interested in how the Palestinian writers defend the natural environment in their literary works (environmental justice) and in what ways they engage the natural aspects such as stones, olive, orange and cactus trees as a source of resistance and steadfastness to the Israeli coloniser. The incorporation of Arab voices such as the one of Mahmoud Darwish, Ghassan kanafani, Raja Shehadeh will provide evidence that the greening of Arabic literature is a valid project that is worthy of further consideration and examination into the study of ecocriticism in the world.
Research Supervisory team:
Dr Christina Phillips Senior Lecturer in Arabic Literature and Media (IAIS Department )
Dr Chris Campbell Lecturer in Global Literatures (English Department )
Research Wider Research Interests:
In addition to my interest in Arabic Literatures, i am also interested in British and American Literatures because my Master studies are based on British and American Literatures and Civilizations.
Resistance literature, prison literature and postcolonial theory
ecocriticism, or environmental literary criticism, ecofeminism and the interconnectedness between culture and nature.
Education:
January 2011 January 9999
PhD in Social Sciences and International Studies University of Exeter 2018 –in progress
Diploma in Academic English and Research Skills Canterbury Christ Church University
24 October 2016 to 31 March 2017
Master degree: British and American Literature and Civilization Dr. Moulay Tahar, Saida– Algeria
September 2014 to July 2016
Bachelor of Arts: English language, Literature and Civilization Dr. Moulay Tahar, Saida– Algeria
September 2011 to June 2014
