Zahra S.A Rafie

Adjunct Faculty

Sociology: Equity, empowerment, and inclusion, Qualitative Research, Gender Equity, Youth/Immigrant/Refugee Rights, Religious Equality/Freedom Community Activism/Advocacy and Social Justice

Zahra S.A. Rafie is a Social Scientist, holding a PhD in Sociology and International Relations from London School of Economic and Political Science, London, England. She obtained her master’s degree from University of Cambridge in History and Philosophy, and her BA (Hons.) from University of London, Goldsmiths College in Sociology and Philosophy.

She’s a Professor of Sociology and a freelance consultant and researcher. She has taught at many prestigious universities both in England such as the London School of Economics and Political Science and in America such as Georgetown University.

Her area of specialty is social theory, development, gender, and minority rights. She has been involved with social activism in the fields of gender equity, minority and refugee rights, youth initiative and leadership programs and innovative teaching and learning processes.

She has worked with many international organizations such as Amnesty International and UNICEF and continues her passion for social justice through NGO and community-based work.

Current Research

Upcoming publication by McMillan Press:

Qualitative research on Confronting Prejudice Against Muslim Women in Higher Education. This research explores the lived experiences of female Muslim students and their diverse narratives by combining ethnomethodology and intersectionality. The goal of this research is to highlight the challenges faced by Muslim women in higher education and make suggestions for eradication of these obstacles by providing guidelines for faculty, administration, and student population. This pilot project is intended to be extend to other minority women in higher education at a later point.

Selected Publications

Weekend Islamic Schools: Are They Preparing Children for Life Ahead?

https://www.ispu.org/weekend-islamic-schools-are-they-preparing-children-for-life-ahead/

Youth Empowerment, Holistic Education, and Islamic Weekend Schools

https://iiit.org/blog/youth-empowerment-holistic-education-and-islamic-weekend-schools/

The Growing Trend of Homeschooling in the Washington Metropolitan Area Muslim American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Spring 2016.

A Critical Reassessment of Huntington’s “Clash of Civilization. American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Spring 2013.

Courses Taught

Principles of Sociology

Sociology of Gender

Sociology of Race and Ethnicity

Sociology of Family

Sociology of Development

Political sociology

Cultural sociology

Women in the middle East

Introduction to Islam

Education

Ph.D. in Sociology & International Relations

London School of Economics & Political Science

M.Phil. in Oriental & Islamic Philosophy & History

University of Cambridge

B.A. in Sociology & Philosophy (Honors)

University of London (Goldsmiths College)