Mériam Cheikh

Mériam Cheikh is a Lecturer in Anthropology at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), where she teaches in the Department of Arab Studies. She serves as International Relations Representative for the Department of Arab Studies, Co-Head of the Gender and Sexualities in the World course, and Head of the Maghreb/Middle East Axis at CESSMA (Centre d'études des mondes africains, ruraux et urbains).

Her research focuses on moral and social dissidence among working-class youth in Morocco, with particular emphasis on gender and sexualities, prostitution and the intimate economy, youth cultures and subcultures, and crime and police work. Current research projects examine masculinities, violence and urban insecurity in Morocco, the genesis of delinquent acts, and the cultural dimensions of youth dissidence.

Dr. Cheikh's scholarly output shows a consistent focus on marginalized populations in Moroccan society, particularly examining how gender norms, sexuality, and social class intersect in urban settings. Her work often explores taboo subjects within Islamic contexts, using ethnographic methods to document social realities that challenge official narratives. The publications demonstrate a progression from broader gender studies to increasingly focused examinations of specific urban spaces and social phenomena.

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship
• Member of editorial boards for L'Année du Maghreb, Politique Africaine, and Genre, Sexualité & Société
• Member of scientific committee for Institut du Monde Arabe

Dr. Cheikh has served as scientific evaluator for numerous prestigious journals including HAU Journal, Hawwa, and Revue des mondes musulmans. She is an associate member of STRIGES (Interdisciplinary Research Structure on Gender, Equality and Sexuality) at Université Libre de Bruxelles and a founding member of the Research and Study Group on Gender in Morocco (GREGAM). Her research has been supported by significant grants including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and funding from CNRS and Horizon 2020.

As Head of the Maghreb/Middle East Axis at CESSMA, she leads a research team focused on social dynamics in North Africa and the Middle East, with particular attention to gender relations, urban transformations, and social marginality. Her work bridges academic research with public discourse through media appearances, podcasts, and contributions to specialized publications for broader audiences.