Helen Rizzo

Helen Rizzo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology and Director of the Cynthia Nelson Institute for Gender and Women’s Studies at The American University in Cairo (AUC). Her work focuses on political sociology, gender-based violence activism, and intersections of gender with social inequalities in the Middle East.

• Research interests include anti-sexual violence activism, masculinity studies, and gender-democracy linkages
• Teaching specialties: research methods, social stratification, sociology of gender, and Middle Eastern families

Her publications include the book Islam, Democracy and the Status of Women: The Case of Kuwait (2005) and co-edited volumes Gender in the Middle East and North Africa (2020) and Sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa (2024). The 2020 volume received the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title recognition.

• Awards: CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title (2020)