Fun fact: African populations today are more diverse genetically than the inhabitants of the rest of the world combined.

I am a scholar of global history focusing on modern Africa and a doctoral candidate at Princeton University, where I completed an MA in 2015.

My current research focuses on the way political legitimacy is built and public support for democratic institutions is mobilized. I look at the emergence of the South African national democracy after 1989 (although the first democratic election was held in 1994, I argue that the shape of the emerging democracy took form after the fall of the Berlin Wall), and touch on the ways that the self-conscious construction of historical artifacts, archives, institutions, and individuals weaves a particular national narrative and world order, and silences other possibilities.

I bring creativity, enthusiasm, a nuanced understanding of issues, commitment, integrity, and global experience across government, academia, the private sector, and non-profit organizations to my work. My expertise includes informed assessment, critical thinking and foresighting, analysis, research, writing, editing, project management, mentorship, fostering global connections, and a great willingness to learn.

I have been active in the Global History Dialogues program in a number of capacities, am part of Princeton University’s groundbreaking GradFutures professional competencies and connections initiative and was a member of the first Venture Capital & Startups Learning Cohort, as well as being involved with the programs of the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council in New York City. I worked as an instructional assistant for the Princeton University EdX Global History Lab, tutoring twenty students in Kigali, Rwanda. I have experience with content development of online materials for Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning and for Canvas course sites. These include presenting primary source materials, overviews of secondary source arguments, interviews, and case studies in interactive online platforms.

Recognition for my work includes a University Center for Human Values graduate fellowship, 2020-2021; the Princeton Graduate School Dean’s Completion Fellowship, Princeton University, 2018-19; Scholarly Conference Award, Program in African Studies, 2018; Princeton Graduate School Dean’s Fund for Scholarly Travel Award, 2019; Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies Professional Development Grant, 2019; Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, Program in African Studies, Conference and Travel Grant, 2018; Laurance S. Rockefeller Graduate Prize Fellowship, Princeton University, 2017-18; The Richard Stillwell ’21 ’24 and Agnes Newhall Stillwell Fellowship, Princeton University, 2017-18; Center for Human Values Merit Grant, Princeton University, 2013-14; Princeton University Graduate Fellowship, 2013-18; UNESCO Chair and Institute of Comparative Human Rights Fellowship, 2011-13; Graduate Assistantship, University of Connecticut, 2011-13; Government of India Scholarship, International Council on Cultural Relations, 2000-01; Rhodes Master’s Degree Scholarship, 1996; Full Academic Colours; Rhodes Honours Degree Scholarship, 1995; Academic Half-Colours; Joint Matriculation Board (JMB), with distinction, 1991; R.A. Moore-Dyke Senior School English Essay winner, 1990 and 1991; Matric prizes for Biology and English, 1991; Academic Standards, Colours and Honours, 1990 and 1991; Bronze Shield Award in The President’s Award Scheme, 1988; Cultural Standards, 1990; Provincial representative, Eastern Cape, South African Youth Symposium, Phuteng, 1990; Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Bursary for Secondary and Undergraduate Tertiary Education, 1988-1995.