Miss Samantha Cooke

Biography

Title: To what extent has the interpretation of religion affected the compatibility between Islam and Feminism?

My thesis examines the manner in which the various schools of Islam have been interpreted and how this affected women’s rights in the Middle East/ North Africa region. It is going to begin with an overview of the theories surrounding concepts such as women’s rights, feminist theories, and citizenship. It will then examine the issues surrounding marriage and divorce, education, and the impact of new media (especially following the Arab Spring) in various MENA countries.

Research Interests

Islam & interpretations, Feminist thought, Women’s rights, Citizenship, Middle East/ North Africa

Affiliations

Political Studies Association (member)

British International Studies Association (member)

Terrorism Research Initiative Network (TRIN), UK (member)

Conferences

Annual Palestinian Society Conference, SOAS, University of London – March 17^th 2012 – attended

Cosmopolitanism in Europe. Idea and Reality, University of Copenhagen – May 2-3 2012 – presented – Dream or Reality? Cosmopolitanism, Multiculturalism, and Feminism in Europe

Terrorism, Radicalisation, and (Counter) Narratives, TRIN, University of Leeds – May 26^th 2012 – presented – The Rationality of Suicide Bombing in Palestine