DoctorMahdis Azarmandi

My research spans the intersections of Peace and Conflict Studies and Critical Race and Whiteness Studies. While I initially embarked on my academic journey in Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies, I now hold a faculty position in the Faculty of Education. Here, I have broadened my research scope to explore the crucial connections between education and social justice. My research foundation is rooted in intersectional analysis, delving into how factors like race, gender, and disability intersect and impact educational systems, policies, and practices. Currently, I am involved in supervising various projects that investigate how educational structures can either challenge or perpetuate inequalities and injustices.

In my research within Peace and Conflict Studies, I critically examine the concept of "racial silence in peace studies." I utilize race-critical and decolonial analyses to explore how geographical patterns of peace and violence often correspond with racial divisions. This alignment perpetuates inequalities and shapes global perceptions, particularly regarding regions in the global south and north. My research challenges long-standing Eurocentric narratives that portray Europe and the West as inherently peaceful while labeling countries in the Global South as conflict-ridden and violent. Through this exploration, I aim to reveal the intricate web of global power dynamics and shed light on the violence perpetuated by colonialism and imperialism.

I draw upon critical race theory, intersectionality, and decolonial theory to shed light on the intricate dynamics shaping our educational landscapes. This interdisciplinary approach allows me to explore the reproduction of epistemologies of ignorance within social justice movements and to investigate the ways in which educational structures can either challenge or perpetuate inequalities and injustices.

In addition to my contributions to the understanding of anti-racism and the politics of education, I also engage with the politics of memorialization. My work critically examines colonial monuments and their role in perpetuating historical violence. This interdisciplinary approach, encompassing qualitative methodologies and critical analysis, reflects my commitment to unraveling complex issues at the intersection of education, race, gender, and disability.