Press Committee, Senegambian Studies Group (2018-2021)
Since late 2018, I have worked with the Senegambian Studies Group (an affiliate organization of the African Studies Association) as a social media manager and on their press committee. Beyond managing their Twitter account and website, I have assisted in organizing conferences, panels, and webinars. In particular, I have worked with Dr. Bamba Ndiaye in organizing and coordinating the Attaya sessions, a webinar series the Senegambian Studies Group began in March, 2021. Our first Attaya session, “Productivity & Academic Publishing,” included several panelists in academic publishing discussing strategies. Our second Attaya session, “Popular Protest and National Reconciliation in the Senegambian Region,” featured Thiat (from the Senegalese hip-hop group Keur Gui) and Sait Matty Jaw from the University of The Gambia discussing the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s progress in The Gambia and the recent uprisings by Senegalese youth and activists protesting economic and political policies in Senegal.
President, Ohio University History Graduate Student Association (2018-2021)
For the past three years, I have worked in the leadership position on the HGSA executive board. Each year, we have organized the annual HGSA Conference at Ohio University, which has required working with multiple OU departments and other universities, acquiring funding for the conference’s events, and finding a Keynote speaker. During my time as President, I have also organized workshops that focused on career and academic development, represented graduate students in the history department and in meetings with the Graduate Student Senate leadership, and ensured cross-departmental engagement between history graduate students and other disciplines.
Past speakers include:
Dr. Ilana Feldman (Professor of Anthropology, History, and International Affairs at George Washington University) gave a Keynote speech, entitled “Humanitarian Predicaments and Palestinian Refugee Politics,” for the 14th Annual HGSA Conference.
Dr. Robyn C. Spencer (Associate Professor of History at Lehman College, City University of New York) gave a talk in lieu of the Keynote speech for the 15th Annual HGSA Conference (cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) for the Contemporary History Institute entitled, “From the Black Panther Party to Black Lives Matter: Tracing the Contours of Social Protest in America,” on October 22, 2020.
Academic Secretary, Ohio University African Students’ Union (2018-2020)
Between April 2018 and February 2020, I held the position of Academic Secretary on the ASU executive board. During this time, I helped organize academic events for the ASU, including our bi-annual Africa Focus Forum. I also assisted with the planning of other events, such as our annual African Heroes’ Night, sent out weekly newsletters with conference, publishing, and career opportunities, and acquired additional funding for ASU.
James J. Fisher 