Dr. Omer Aijazi

Biography

Omer Aijazi is a critical disaster studies scholar affiliated with the University of Manchester. His work primarily explores decolonial ethnography and humanitarian conflict, with a focus on the socio-political dynamics in borderlands of South Asia, particularly in Kashmir and Northern Pakistan. He examines how disasters not only signify moments of rupture but also reveal ongoing social labor that resists conditions leading to life diminishment. His upcoming book, Atmospheric Violence: Disaster Repair Kashmir, is set to be published in 2024 by the University of Pennsylvania Press and delves into the complex interplay between violence, social labor, and resilience in everyday life amid disaster. Aijazi's research is rooted in a transdisciplinary approach that combines insights from social sciences and humanities, emphasizing subversive methodologies to challenge mainstream knowledge frameworks. He aims to bring focus to the spiritual aspirations of communities affected by disaster and violence, addressing the ontological moorings often overlooked in disaster recovery frameworks. Aijazi is also engaged in community-centered projects like the documentary cookbook Eaten?, which seeks to document familial ties and experiences amidst vulnerability in Kashmir. He welcomes students interested in applying decolonial perspectives to contexts of violence and disaster, particularly from non-traditional academic backgrounds. Aijazi has published several works and contributed to various academic discussions on disaster response and recovery in the Himalayan region.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards