Ann McDougall

Ann McDougall is a Professor in the Department of History, Classics, & Religion at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Arts. Her research specializes in the history of slavery, social and economic dynamics, and Islamic influences in West and North Africa. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and a PhD from Birmingham University. Her career includes post-doctoral fellowships at Dalhousie and York Universities, and teaching roles at Duke and Toronto Universities before joining Alberta in 1986.

Her research focuses on Mauritania, Mali, Morocco, and Senegal, examining topics such as the Haratine social group, trans-Saharan trade, and colonial labor systems. A SSHRC Insight Grant (2008–2012) supported her work on Haratine self-identity, yielding over 140 interviews. Her recent SSHRC grant (2021–2024) explores labor in Mauritanian mining history.

Teaching spans African and Middle Eastern history, including courses like ‘Africa from Medieval to Modern Times’ and ‘Islamic Slavery.’ She co-founded the MEAS program (later MEIS), emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to engage students in critical analysis.

Her work extends beyond academia through legal advocacy for Mauritanian refugees fleeing post-1989 ethnic conflicts. Personal interests include horse-riding with her Dutch/Belgium warmblood, Holly.