GSSC Seminar Series
1 October 2024
Physical Identity of Women in the Persian Gulf on Instagram: A study on Baloch Women in Iran and Oman
Atiyeh Azarshab (University of Cologne)
12:00-13:00
Abstract
The platform Instagram is highly popular in Iran and the Persian Gulf countries. Young women, including minority groups such as Baloch women, actively participate in this application. In recent years, Baloch women have used Instagram as an opportunity to express and define their identity. Since their activities encompass various domains, I have conducted research specifically focusing on the redefinition of physical identity of Iranian and Omani Baloch women on Instagram. I have found significant similarities and noticeable differences between these two groups, which need to be discussed.
Atiyeh Azarshab completed her academic journey in anthropology, from undergraduate to doctoral studies, at the University of Tehran, Iran. Her research has consistently focused on the Baloch ethnicity within Iran and other Persian Gulf nations such as Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. As a member of this ethnic group and having lived in Balochistan, Iran, she has maintained an ongoing engagement with the region, positioning herself as a native anthropologist to some extent. Her academic interests encompass gender studies, ethnicity studies, the anthropology of literature and folklore, and identity politics. Azarshab’s scholarly contributions, including theses and published articles, have primarily focused on women's studies, literature and folklore, and political anthropology. After completing her doctorate, she spent three years working at Tehran's Ministry of Sports and Youth, where she engaged primarily in projects related to youth and women. Currently, she is the recipient of a postdoctoral scholarship from the Humboldt Foundation. Since November 2023, she has been pursuing a postdoctoral project titled "Identity Dynamics of Baloch Women in Contemporary Iran" under the mentorship of Professor Sandra Kurfürst at the University of Cologne.