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Paraska Tolan-Szkilnik is a historian specializing in 20th century Africa and the Middle East, particularly focusing on the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in post-colonial contexts. Her research examines how revolutionary movements in North Africa and the broader African diaspora have historically engaged with issues of identity and struggle. Dr. Tolan-Szkilnik’s recent book, 'Maghreb Noir: Militant-Artists North Africa Struggle Pan-African, Post-colonial Future,' was published by Stanford University Press in 2023, where she explores the narrative of a group of militant-artists from diverse backgrounds who contributed significantly to Pan-African cultural and political projects during a crucial historical period. Through her scholarly writing, she is committed to promoting transnational and transregional histories that illuminate marginalized voices from Africa and the Middle East. Her academic contributions have appeared in notable journals, including the Arab Studies Journal and the International Journal of Middle East Studies. Additionally, she engages with public scholarship through podcasts and online oral history projects, aiming to expand understanding of Pan-Africanism beyond conventional narratives. Currently, she is also researching the role of sex and sexual violence within revolutionary movements throughout the 20th century, focusing on how these themes have both liberated and constrained individual expressions of identity.
Department of Architecture