Sahar Haghighat

Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone (if you completed one):

My dissertation examines the gendered aesthetic of the 2009 Iranian Green Movement by studying the digital photographs taken at street protests and spread through the transnational network as a visual representation of the movement.

How did you choose your specific area of study?

As a young Iranian migrant I have spent my entire life exposed to the misrepresentations of women in the global South by knowledge producing institutions in the global North. My research agenda incorporates feminist methods of knowledge production centering women’s lived experiences, and their articulation of these experiences, as the primary source of knowledge about women’s lives.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

During my time at Mason I was provided an interdisciplinary study in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Besides courses in sociology, I completed a graduate certificate in Women and Gender Studies and have worked closely with students in the Global Affairs, Cultural Studies, and English Departments.

Of which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud?

During my time at Mason, I am most proud of my engagement and support of fellow students. In particular, I am most proud of the ways that I have been able to support nonwhite undergraduate women in academia, who like myself, have not always felt accepted or welcomed in this institution.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

There are many faculty and staff members who have been instrumental to my success at GMU. My desire to continue working with Dr. John Dale is what brought me to Mason and he has continued to support me through the completion of my degree. My dissertation chair, Dr. Nancy Hanrahan, has been my greatest ally and source of support. No one has believed in me, encouraged me, or pushed me more than Nancy. I do not believe that I would have made it through this program without Nancy’s ability to recognize and help me tap into my potential. I will forever be grateful to Nancy for teaching me that not everybody’s trajectory in graduate school looks the same and that my place in this institution is as legitimate and valuable as others on a more “traditional” trajectory.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

My biggest message to incoming cohorts of graduate students is that this process is exceptionally difficult and may include some major bumps along the way. Remember, this is a process, not just a destination. Don’t forget to practice compassion with yourself and others through this challenging process.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

From when I taught my first university course in 2007, my greatest joy and long-term career goal has been to introduce a sociological imagination to a broad population of people inside or outside of a formal classroom environment.