Dr. Sarah Moser

Biography

Sarah Moser is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at McGill University. Her research focuses on cultural and urban geography, particularly the ways in which national, religious, and ethnic identities shape cities, with a specific emphasis on Southeast Asia and the Muslim world. Moser explores the transnational circulation of identity, architecture, and urban policy in cities across Asia, seeking insights beyond ‘the West’ for inspiration. Her current work investigates the emergence of supra-national religious and ethnic identities as they manifest in urban form and serve secular nation-building purposes. This includes examining the effects of pan-Islamic identity and the ‘Arabization’ of Muslim identity on urban areas, as well as the rise of ‘pan-Chinese’ identities circulating throughout Asia. Moser's ongoing projects delve into the cultural politics and ideologies behind nation-building in new cities, the interplay of interpretations of Islam, and the built environment in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, particularly in model city developments and utopian planning visions.

Research Interests

Experience