Yassin Brunger: Racism, Conflict & Justice
Meet Yassin Brunger…
Dr Yassin Brunger is a Lecturer in Human Rights Law and Co-Director of the Gender Justice and Society Research Network at Queen’s University Belfast.
Originally from the Gambian, Yassin spent 20 years living in the Middle East and is rooted in transnational understandings of justice and human rights. As a long-term feminist and scholar-activist, her academic work remains informed by the lived experiences of post-conflict, justice and peace of marginalised communities in the ‘Global South’ — amplifying struggles for justice within and beyond legal frameworks and academia.
Closer to home, Yassin is a dedicated champion of gender and racial justice in Northern Ireland. She has received national recognition for her contribution to the first 'Black History Month campaign' in Northern Ireland and formerly served as one of the inaugural Co-Chairs of IRise, the University's Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network.
In this episode we talk about:
Growing up in the Middle-East
Her experiences in white middle-class England
What justice actually is
What racism in NI looks like
And most importantly what we can do about it
Please note: This episode also contains reference to gender and racial-based violence. If you are affected by anything discussed in this conversation we have signposted a few phone numbers and links below for you to avail of.
The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre
0800 389 4424 Freephone 24/7
http://therowan.net/
Women's Aid NI: https://www.womensaidni.org/get-help/
Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality
https://nicre.org/services/
Lifeline
0808 808 8000
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Treasure Trove For Yassin Brunger
What's One Thing Most People Don't Know About You?
I could formerly speak, read and write Arabic
What's Your Favourite Book?
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and All About Love — bell hooks
What's Your Favourite Quote?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou
Last but not least, is there anything you'd like us to promote?
QUEEN'SxBESTOFBELFAST
This episode is part of our ongoing series with Queens University Belfast, where we have the chance to sit down with an interesting student, professor or graduate once a month to hear and share their story.
To find out more and listen to the other episodes in this series, please visit bestofbelfast.org/queens
Thanks so much for being here, and I really hope you enjoy this week’s conversation.
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Thanks again to Yassin Brunger for taking the time to share her story with us.
See you next time.
— Matt
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