CAWO MOHAMED ABDI Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota

CAWO MOHAMED ABDI
Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota
909 Social Science Building, 267 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Tel: (612) 624-3714
Email: [email protected]
Education
University of Sussex, UK, PhD, Sociology, 2006.
University of Guelph, Canada, MA, 2002.
University of Ottawa, Canada, BSocSc, Economics, 1995.
Fellowship: Fulbright Fellow, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 2012-2013.
Employment
Assistant Professor: Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 2008Present.
Current Affiliations
Research Associate: Department of Sociology, University of Pretoria, South Africa 2010present.
Affiliated Faculty: Religious Studies, University of Minnesota, Spring 2011-present.
Affiliated Faculty: Immigration and History Research Center, Spring 2008-present.
Affiliated Faculty: Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC), Fall 2009-present.
Affiliate Faculty: Graduate Feminist Studies, GWSS, 2010-present.
Graduate Faculty: Population studies, University of Minnesota, Fall 2008-present.
Visiting Lecturer: Department of Sociology/Institute of Global Studies/Gender, Women, and
Sexuality Studies, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, January 2007 to May 2008.
Research Interests
Migration; Gender, Race and Class; Islam; Family; Human Rights; Development Studies;
Globalization; Africa; Middle East.
Publications
Refereed Articles and Book Chapters
• 2014. “Threatened Identities and Gendered Opportunities: Somali Migration to
America.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society. Vol. 39, no. 21 pages 459483.
• 2011. “Muslim-American Youth and Homeland Politics: Competing Narratives on the
War on Terror. In Looming Shadows: Migration and Integration at a time of Upheaval.
European and American Perspectives. Vedran Dzihic/Thomas Schmidinger (eds.),
Center for Transatlantic Relations, John Hopkins University.
• 2011. “Moving Beyond ‘Xenophobia’: Structural Violence, Conflict and Encounters with
the ‘Other’ Africans.” Development Southern Africa, 28(5): 691-704.
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2011. “A Gendered Perspective on the Impact of Conflict in the Horn of Africa.” Nordic
Africa Institute, Policy Note 3.
2011. “The Newest African-Americans? Somali Struggles for Belonging.” Bildhaan: An
International Journal of Somali Studies Vol. 11: 90-107.
2011. “Muslims and the Marriage Contract: One Religion, Many Practices.” In Families
with Futures: A Survey of Family Studies for the 21st Century, edited by Janet R.
Grochowski and Meg Wilkes Karraker, Routledge.
2008. “Contested Norms and Values in Transnational Families.” Pp. 164-167, in Global
Families, edited by Meg Wilkes Karraker, Pearson Education.
2007. “Convergence of Civil War and the Religious Right: Re-Imagining Somali
Women.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 33: 1: 183-207
2007. “The New Age of Security: Implications for Refugees and IDPs in the Horn of
Africa.” Development 50(4): 75-81.
2006. “Refugees, Gender Based Violence and Resistance: A Case Study of Somali
Women in Kenyan Camps.” Pp. 231-251, in Gender Migration and Citizenship: Making
Local, National and Transnational Connections, edited by Evangelia Tastsoglou and
Alexandria Dobrowolsky, Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
2005. “In Limbo: Dependency, Insecurity and Identity Amongst Somali Refugees in
Dadaab Camps.” Refuge: Canadian Periodical on Refugee issues 22(2): 6-14.
Book Reviews
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2011. Becoming Somaliland. By Mark Bradbury, Bloomington: Indiana University Press,
The Historian, 73(2): 318-319.
2010. For Better, For Worse: The Marriage Crisis That Made Modern Egypt. By Hanan
Kholoussy. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press. American Journal of Sociology,
116(3): 999-1001.
Reprinted Works
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2012. “Contested Norms and Values in Transnational Families.”Pp. 164-167. in Global
Families, 2nd Edition, edited by Meg Wilkes Karraker, Pearson Education.
2007. “Convergence of Civil War and the Religious Right: Re-Imagining Somali
Women.” Pp. 279-303, in Feminist Perspectives on War and Terror, edited by Karen
Alexander and Mary Hawkesworth, University of Chicago Press.
2005. “In Limbo: Dependency, Insecurity and Identity Amongst Somali Refugees in
Dadaab Camps.” Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies, Vol.5.
Work under Review:
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“Gender Democracy and Women’s Self Empowerment: A Case of Somali Diaspora Civil
Society.” Coauthored with Marco Tavanti, and Blaire MacHarg, Purdue University. (for a
book to be published by Springer)
Work in Progress
• Journeys of Hope: Journeys of Pain: Somali Migration to South Africa, United Arab
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Emirates and United States, (Book Project).
“Transnational Migration and Gendered Realities: Remittances and Dreams of Return.”
Paper to be submitted to International Migration Review.
“Renegotiating Marital Arrangements in the Era of HIV/AIDS: A Case Study of the
Chaga Communities of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania” (With June Msechu): to be submitted to
International Sociology.
Non-Refereed
• 2004. Abdi, Awa. “Refugee Camps: Where is the Light?” Journal of the Anglo-Somali
Society, 35: 12-15.
Op-Ed
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June 18, 2013. “Xenophobia and Its Discontents in South Africa.” Al Jazeera English.
October 13, 2012. “Eastleigh Bombing, Terror Dynamics and Kenya’s Somali Intervention.” Al
Jazeera English.
August 24, 2012. “Marginalizing women in Somali Politics.” Al Jazeera.
June 16, 2012. “Inspired: Somali progressives on the Rise.” Al Jazeera.
July 15, 2011. “Private Wealth in Public Filth: Somalis’ Kenya Enclave of Eastleigh.”
Wardheernews.
March 17, 2011. “The Kifaya Revolution in the Arab World.” Minnpost.
March 20, 2009. “The War on Terror, Somali Minnesotans and Ill-informed Investigators.”
Minnpost.
June 19, 2008. “World Refugee Day Event to Honour New Minnesotans' Tenacity, Generosity.”
(with Helga Leitner), MinnPost.
Reviews
Journal Articles:
Law & Society Review
American Sociological Review
Social Problems;
Contexts;
Journal of Refugee Studies;
African and Black Diaspora;
Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Laws
Book Manuscript:
Oxford University Press
Minnesota Historical Society
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Official Reports
2005. “Evaluation of October 2004 UK Home Office Country Information Policy Unit
(CIPU) Report on Somalia.” Co-authored with Professor Richard Black, University
Sussex Centre for Migration Research.
• 2004. “Evaluation of October 2003 UK Home Office Country Information Policy Unit
(CIPU) Report on Somalia.” Co-authored with Professor Richard Black, University of
Sussex Centre for Migration Research, (http://www.apci.org.uk/PDF/APCI_2_2.pdf).
• 2003. “The Impact of the National Security Agenda on Racialized Women: Bringing Us
Out of The Policy Ghetto and into the Development of National Policy, Strategies and
Solutions.” National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada
(NOIVMWC), Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW)
and Status of Women Canada, Co-authored with Anu Radha Bose, PhD, Lise Martin,
MA, and Hamdi Mohamed, PhD.
• 2003. “How Long is Too Long? Durable Solutions for Dadaab Refugees.” CARE
Canada, Co-authored with Professor Howard Adelman, York University, Canada.
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Awards
Year
Name of Grant Award
2012-2013
Fulbright Fellowship to South Africa
2010
Major International Faculty Research Grant,
Global Spotlight, Office of International Programs
(5/2010-4/30/2012).
$147,925
International Collaborative Seed Grant,
Global Spotlight, Office of International Programs
$30, 000 (declined)
2010
Amount
2010
Institute for Diversity, Equity and Advocacy (IDEA)
Multicultural Research Awards, University of Minnesota
$7,000
2005
Social Science and Humanities Research Council
of Canada (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship
$20,000,
2003-06
The Commonwealth Scholarship (from the UK)
€16,000/year
2003
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
$10,000 (declined)
2002
Mackenzie King Scholarship
$10,000
2002
York University Entrance Scholarship
$6,000
University of Guelph:
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2001
Registrar's Travel Scholarship for Graduate Studies
$2,500
2001
University Graduate Scholarship
$2,000
2001
Board of Graduate Studies Research Scholarship
$1,630
2001
University of Guelph Graduate Travel Scholarship
$1,000
2001
Registrar's Award for Graduate Students
$1,000
2000 University Graduate Scholarship
$2,000
Selected Conference Presentations/Chairing
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African Studies Association. Panel Organizer and Chair: “Challenges and Opportunities
in South Africa: Reconciliation, Race and Migration.” Paper Presented: “Islam, Identity
and Somali Refugees in South Africa. Baltimore, Maryland November 20-24, 2013.
Istanbul Conference on Somalia. Chair and author of recommendations: Social
Development priorities for post-Transition Somalia. May 27-May 30, 2012.
Saint. Louis University. “Borders, Bribes, Possibilities: Newest African Migrations.”
Conference: Immigrants and Refugees: Social, Political, Legal, and Ethical Problems and
Solutions. May 21-22, 2012.
University of Minnesota. “African and Latin American Gendered and Racialized
Migration Experiences.” Presenter and symposium organizer. International Research
Conference, Global Strategies Alliance, February 17, 2012.
“Moving Beyond ‘Xenophobia’: Structural Violence, Conflict and Encounters with the
‘Other’ Africans.” South African Sociological Congress. Pretoria, July 10, 2011
Chair: “Architectures: Religion and Public Space.” Conference: Shared Cultural Spaces:
Islam and the West in the Arts and Sciences. February 25, 2011, University of Minnesota.
“Xenophobia in the ‘New’ South Africa.” American Sociological Association Annual
Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, August 2010.
Table Presider: Remittances and Development roundtable. ASA, August 2010, Atlanta.
“Contested Framing: Class, Race and Xenophobia in the New South Africa.” Canadian
Sociological Association Meeting, Concordia University, June 1, 2010.
“Gender and Migration.” African Studies Association Annual Conference, New York
(Panel Chair and Presenter), November 2007.
“Diasporic Gender Relations: Consolidated or Contested?” The British Sociological
Association Annual Conference, Harrogate, UK, April 2006.
Invited Lectures
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“In Search of Arabian Pearls: Migration Experiences in the UAE.” University of Pretoria,
South Africa, July 26, 2013 (Also Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota,
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October 22, 2013).
“Journeys of Hope: Newest African Migrations.” University of California, San Diego,
February 28, 2012.
St. Olaf College, Sociology and Anthropology Department, “Regional Approach to
Gender and Conflict in the Horn of Africa,” October 19, 2011.
Horn of Africa Conference, Lund, Sweden. Paper: “Regional Approach to Gender and
Protracted Conflict in the Horn of Africa.” 23rd – 24h September 2011.
Central Connecticut State University, the International Studies Lecture Series.
“The Newest African-Americans? Somali-Americans’ Struggles of Belonging.” May 05,
2011.
Macalester College keynote speaker: 2011 Civic Forum on “New American Citizens:
Opportunities and Obligations for Somalis.” Paper: “The Newest African-Americans?
Somali Struggles for Belonging,” April 07, 2011.
Northwestern University, “Xenophobia in the New South Africa.” Sociology Department
Seminar Series, January 27, 2011.
University of Minnesota. “Moving Beyond ‘Xenophobia’: Structural Poverty, Conflict
and Encounters with the ‘Other’ Africans.” Sociology Department Seminar, November
16, 2010.
Georgetown University. “Somali Youth Radicalization in the United States.” The Prince
Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. November 15, 2010.
Ohio Wesleyan. “Moving Beyond ‘Xenophobia’: Structural Poverty, Conflict and
Encounters with the ‘Other’ Africans.” September 2010.
Minnesota Humanities Center. “From the Tropics to the Snowbelt Midwest: Somalis in
Minnesota.” March 2010.
Augsburg College. “Building Democratic Institutions in Conflict and Post-Conflict
Society: Kosovo to Somalia.” Panelist, the 22nd Annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum, March
2010.
University of Denison. “Transnational Migrations and Gendered Realities.” September
2009.
University of Pretoria. “Comparing Migrations: Somali Migration to South Africa and to
the United States.” July 2009.
University of Minnesota. “Transnationalism and Gender Dynamics in Minnesota
Context.” Immigration History Resource Center. December 2008.
College of St. Catherine. “Somali Migrations to East Africa, Southern African and the
United States.” October 2008.
University of Illinois at Chicago. “Gendered Worlds: Remittance Practices and
Imaginings of Home.” Black Migrations and the New African Diaspora Workshop. April
2008
University of Minnesota. “Transnational Imaginations and Gendered Realities: Somali
Refugees, Remittances and Dreams of Return.” GWSS seminar Series, March 2008.
University of Pretoria. “Women and Gender Violence in Refugee Camps.” May 2007.
University of Pretoria. “Changes and Continuities in Somali Gender Relations in the
Diaspora.” Sociology Departmental Seminar. May 2007.
Courses Taught Recently
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Comparing Global Migrations (graduate course)
Introduction to Sociology
Transnational Migration
Family and Gender in the Islamic World
Honors Introduction to Sociology
o (Also, routinely serve as a guest lecturer in courses -Sociology of Gender; Gender
and Global Politics; Introduction to Sociology; Sociology as a Profession, The
Making of Global Cities; ICGC Doctoral Research Workshop- University of
Minnesota; University of Pretoria, McGill University).
Doctoral Advising
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June Msechu, Sociology, Ph.D., co-Adviser
Annie Jollymore, Sociology, PhD, co-Adviser
Lisa Gulya, Sociology, PhD, co-Adviser
Wahutu Sigure, Sociology, Ph.D., committee member
Stephen Suh, Sociology, Ph.D., committee member
Arta Ankrava, Sociology, Ph.D., committee member
Andy Wilhide, History, Ph.D., committee member
Majory Silisyene, Natural Resources Science, PhD Committee Member,
Completed:
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Shannon Golden , Sociology, Ph.D., committee member (2013)
Darin Mather, Sociology, Ph.D., committee member (2013)
Liz Shaffer-Wishner, Humphrey, MA, Committee member (2011)
Institutional Service Activities
Minnesota Sociology Department
• Graduate Awards Committee 2013-2014
• Undergraduate Affairs Committee 2011-2012
• Graduate Committee, 2010-2011
• PT & S committee, 2009-2010
• Faculty Search Committee, 2008-2009
College of Liberal Arts
• International Pre-dissertation/Internship Grant Reviewing Committee, the
Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC), Spring 2012.
• Global Spotlight Dissertation Grant Committee, Global Strategies Alliance, Spring 2012.
• Faculty and Student Advisory Council of the Immigration History Research Center,
2011-2012.
• Committee on Second Language Education (ComSLE): 2011-2013.
• Advisory Board, NEH grant on Islam and the Humanities, Religious Studies program,
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2011.
Member of Faculty and Student Advisory Council (FSAC) of the Immigration History
Research Center (IHRC), 2010-2011.
Organizing Committee: "Linked Lives: When are Immigrant and Refugee Engagements
Problematized?” Conference, September 2009-February 2010. IHRC Immigration
History Research Center/Institute of Global Studies.
Panel Moderator: Transnational Family and Community, "Linked Lives: When are
Immigrant and Refugee Engagements Problematized?” Conference, February 01, 2010.
Organizing Committee: “Framing of Violence Symposium.” University of Minnesota,
Spring 2009-April 2010.
Keynote Speaker, Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE), April 2009.
Committee member: Somali Community Needs Assessment, Office of the Vice President
and Vice Provost, Equity and Diversity. September 2009-2010.
Participating in students of color recruitment 2007-2009.
Other Academic Services:
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National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and American Library Association
(ALA) Event: Bridging Cultures: Muslim Journeys. Film Discussant: Koran by Heart,
October 21, 2013. University of Minnesota.
African Studies Association: 2013 Annual Meeting Program Committee member.
PhD external Examiner: LaTrope University, Australia. 2011.
Other Community Services:
• Expert Witness (pro bono-telephone testimony from Pretoria, South Africa) Immigration
Asylum case, Philadelphia, Mr. Y. G. (Asylum granted to Mr. G.) February 13, 2013.
• Featured in a MIA-Educational video. 2012.
• Serving as a Consultant for MIA’s Islamic Africa Project. 2012-present
• Expert Witness,(pro bono) Immigration Asylum case, Mr. A. O. H, represented by Foley
& Lardner LLP Milwaukee (Asylum granted to Mr. H). March 20, 2012.
• Panellist, Community Forum of the Wisconsin Advisory Committee to the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights. September 16, 2011.
• Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Council, consultation meeting with
University of Minnesota faculty and other organizations working on migration issues in
the Twin Cities. March 22, 2011.
• Speaker: Fundraising event for a Hospital in Somalia (Dr. Hawa Abdi Hospital).
December 3, 2010.
• Speaker: Fundraising event for a hospital in Somalia (Galkaio Medical Center). October
23, 2010.
• Affidavit for an immigration case (pro bono), City Bar Justice Center, New York, June
10, 2010 (this applicant was granted asylum on August 2010)
• Affidavit for an asylum and deportation case with The Detention Project, National
Immigrant Justice Center, Chicago (this applicant was granted deportation relief on
December 2009).
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Grant reviewing
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Fulbright Program, U. S. Embassy Fulbright Gauteng Regional Panel selection, May 28May 29, 2013, Pretoria, South Africa.
Fulbright Program, U.S. Embassy National Selection Panel for Senior Fulbright Scholars
for 2013-2014. December 2012, Pretoria, South Africa.
Ohio State University, Cancer Research Project, May 2011.
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, April 2011.
Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDHFS),
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposals. January 2009
Editorial Board
Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies, Macalester College.
Media
• Voice of America, Washington June 25, 2013
• Voice of America, Washington June 26, 2013
• PRI (Public Radio International) July 20,
2012
• BBC Somali Service June 1, 2012
•BBC November 4, 2011
• Leader-Telegram, Eau Clair, Oct. 2, 2011;
• VPRO (The Netherlands public radio),
Sept. 8, 2011
• ARD (German Public TV), Sept. 5, 2011
• KFAI, April 22, 2011
• Channel 12, March 31, 2011
• BBC Somali Service, March 21, 2011
• Voice of America, March 17, 2011
• NYTimes, November 23, 2010
• NYTimes, November 28, 2010
• Al Jazeera English TV, July 14 , 2010
• KFAI community radio March 08, 2010
• Minnesota Public Radio, December 8, 2009
• Star Tribune, November 25, 2009
• The History Channel October 15, 2009
• Minnesota Public Radio, August 24.
• West Central Tribune, Willmar,
August 17, 2009.
• BBC August 3, 2009.
• BBC World Service May 21, 2009.
• SABC (South Africa Broadcast Corporation)
Jul 29, 2009, Johannesburg.
• Star Tribune May 12, 2009.
• NYTimes April 9, 2009.
• The National (Dubai), April 6, 2009.
• Radio Canada International March 27, 2009.
• Voice of America (VOA) March 22, 2009.
• Minnpost, March 20, 2009.
• Associated Press, Mar 3, 2009.
• Minnesota Public Radio,
February 10, 2009.
• BBC World Service, June 20, 2008.
• BBC World Service, March 04, 2004.
Professional Membership
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American Sociological Association
o Global/Transnational Sociology
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o International Migration
o Race, Gender, and Class
o Sex and Gender
o Peace, War, & Social Conflict
Sociologists for Women in Society
Midwest Sociological Society
Canadian Sociological Association
African Studies Association
Global Studies Association
Updated: October 2013
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