Please join us in congratulating Nasim Peikazadi who successfully defended her PhD Dissertation on September 12 of 2025.
Title:
IDENTITY AND POWER: IRANIAN WOMEN’S NEGOTIATIONS OF BELONGING IN A TRANSNATIONAL CONTEXT
Lay Summary
This study explores the perceptions of identity and belonging of first-generation Iranian women in British Columbia, Canada. It particularly focuses on the influence of global dynamics, including colonialism and imperialism on these perceptions. It also reflects on the intersection of race, gender, religion, and class as they shape the women’s experiences and perceptions.
Through individual and group interviews with twenty-four participants and engaging them in reflection on migration-themed artworks, the study revealed narratives of settlement, discrimination, and resilience. These narratives revealed various ways of countering stereotypes and reclaiming self-identification. An important finding is what I termed “contingent belonging,” which pinpoints the shifting and uncertain nature of belonging. Another key finding was the presence of internal divisions within the community, which often complicated participants’ sense of belonging. However, the narratives also demonstrated the creative ways used within the community to build connections while resisting stereotypes through the concept of “strategic re/presentation.”
Chair of Examination Committee:
Dr. Neda Maghbouleh
University Examiners:
Dr. Sunera Thobani (Asian Studies)
Dr. Handel Wright (Educational Studies)
External Examiner:
Dr. Shahrzad Mojab (OISE/University of Toronto)
Supervisory Committee:
Dr. Pierre Walter (Member)
Dr. Hongxia Shan (Co-supervisor)
Dr. Alison Taylor (Co-supervisor)