Nafhesa Ali

Dr Nafhesa Ali is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Northumbria University. A sociologist specializing in migration, racialized communities, and decolonizing methodologies, she promotes inclusive research practices through creative methods. She serves as a Co-Investigator on the Leverhulme-funded 'Towards Inclusive Environmental Sustainability (TIES)' project and holds an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Manchester. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) on the AHRC Storying Relationships project at the University of Sheffield. Her work focuses on intersectional feminist perspectives, Muslim communities, and environmental sustainability. She also serves as a UNESCO Policy Advisor and contributes to the British Academy Net Zero Reference Group.

Education:

• PhD completed in 2015

Research Interests: Nafhesa’s work examines the everyday lives of marginalized communities, particularly around migration, race, gender, and climate justice. She critiques methodological colonialism and advocates for participatory approaches. Her projects include studies on Muslim youth relationships, halal dating cultures, and the role of religion in climate advocacy. She emphasizes creative storytelling as a tool for social change and has co-authored influential works on British Muslim experiences.

Grants & Collaborations:

• Co-Investigator, TIES project (Leverhulme Trust)
• Previous PDRA role on the AHRC-funded Storying Relationships project

Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary teams focusing on environmental sustainability and decolonial research frameworks. Collaborates with the University of Manchester and UNESCO on policy initiatives.