Hannah Hoechner

Hannah Hoechner is an Associate Professor in Education and Global Development at the School of Global Development, University of East Anglia (UEA). She is affiliated with the Global Environmental Justice Group and contributes to research themes on Education and Development, and Migrants and Refugees. Her academic journey includes a doctorate from the University of Oxford and postdoctoral positions at the Université libre de Bruxelles and the University of Antwerp.

• PhD, University of Oxford
• Postdoctoral Research, Université libre de Bruxelles
• Postdoctoral Research, University of Antwerp

Hannah’s research focuses on Islamic education in contexts of social change, migration, and conflict. She employs ethnographic and participatory methodologies to explore the lived experiences of youth in Qur’anic schools in northern Nigeria and among Senegalese diaspora communities in the US and Senegal. Her work critically examines how religious education intersects with identity formation, social reproduction, and transnational belonging. She challenges dominant narratives that link Qur’anic schools to extremism, emphasizing instead their role in youth development and cultural continuity.

Her recent publications highlight trends in faith-based education, pandemic responses, and transnational educational practices. Articles such as 'Scapegoating the usual suspects?' and 'Transnational migration and educational change' reflect a consistent engagement with the interplay between religion, education, migration, and public policy. Her research spans disciplines including education, anthropology, development studies, and African studies, with a strong regional focus on West Africa.

• British Academy Grant: Exploring the nexus between faith-based education and violent conflict (2021–2024)
• EPSRC Grant: Building cultures of peace in Rwanda schools (2019–2022)

Hannah has supervised and collaborated on research with scholars across disciplines and institutions. She has served as an External Examiner at Maastricht University, indicating active engagement in academic service. Her public engagement includes media contributions in outlets analyzing Boko Haram, Qur’anic education, and pandemic responses in Nigeria.

She is involved in interdisciplinary networks focused on peacebuilding, climate action, and educational reform. Her work with UEA's Biodiversity and Climate Action Network (BCAN) signals an expanding interest in planetary citizenship and sustainability education. She also leads research connecting diaspora communities with homeland educational systems, particularly in Senegal.