Merve Fejzula

Merve Fejzula is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Missouri, housed within the College of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on modern African history, its diaspora, and global connections, particularly in West Africa during the 20th century. She specializes in African intellectual and art history, Black internationalism, and political thought.

Current projects include a book manuscript analyzing the transformation of the Black public sphere (1947–77) through Negritude philosophy and a curatorial project on Senegal’s first contemporary female artist, Younousse Seye. Her work has been supported by fellowships from institutions like the University of Chicago, Schomburg Center, and Beinecke Library.

• Research Interests: African intellectual history, Black political thought, diaspora studies, imperial history
• Recent Awards: Sarah Pollard Prize (Institute of Historical Research), Sarah Norton Prize (University of Cambridge)

Fejzula teaches courses on early and modern African history, oral history, women in African history, and race and politics in South Africa. She is on research leave from July 2024 to July 2025.