Amal El Haimeur

Where you know me from… 

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of African and African American Studies (AAAS) at KU. I teach Arabic language courses and Arabic studies courses that explore the intersections of language, identity, culture, gender, and history. I also serve as the coordinator for African and African diasporic languages. 

When I was a freshman… 

My freshman experience was both exciting and challenging. I was the first in my family to attend college, and I had to travel away from home to pursue my undergraduate studies. One memorable aspect of that time was that I didn’t own a computer—books were my primary source of knowledge! During my undergraduate years, I also passed the national exam to become a public-school teacher in Morocco. By the time I completed my final year, I was already a certified teacher in the Moroccan public school system. It was a period of growth, determination, and resilience. 

You may be surprised to know…

In addition to teaching, I conduct research on a wide range of topics—including Arabic linguistics, pedagogy, online learning, and the representation of Muslim women. My work brings together language, culture, and gender studies in ways that often surprise people who only know me from the classroom.