Metje Postma

Metje Postma is a Lecturer at the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University, affiliated with the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Her research focuses on refugee representation, communication strategies among marginalized communities, and the application of ethnographic methods in development contexts. She investigates how the Rashaayda Bedouin refugees in Eritrea negotiate identities through poetic rhetoric, aid narratives, and embodied practices, exploring how these forms of communication engage different audiences. Her work bridges theoretical anthropology with practical development challenges, emphasizing the role of cultural heritage and body-techniques in crisis situations. She has produced a documentary, *Aida; Weaving a Way*, analyzing leadership discourses in Sudanese rebel groups, which contributes to her broader thesis on representation in crises. Teaching responsibilities include courses at both BSc and MSc levels in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology.