August 2016 - July 2019
In both Muslim and non-Muslim societies, many of the choices that young Muslim women make are regarded as contentious. Into this highly charged identity politics, enters ‘superhero’ Kamala Khan. Created in 2013 for Marvel Comics, Kamala is a 16-year-old Muslim Pakistani-American girl living in New Jersey.
Ms Marvel’s 2014 UK release prompted a string of articles and opinion pieces by the BBC, The Guardian, and The Independent, among others. In 2015, Ms Marvel launched in the UAE, both in English and in Arabic. The release of Miss Marvel in the UAE also received widespread media coverage.
This project will explore the ability of comics to act as catalysts for social change. It will contribute to research by addressing two key questions: (1) what, if any, effect do comics have on the public perception of identity? and (2) does the same comic affect public perceptions of identity differently in different social contexts?
To answer these questions, the project will compare the reception of Ms Marvel in non-Muslim majority (UK) and Muslim majority (UAE) societies. More specifically, what (if any) effect has Ms Marvel had on prevailing attitudes towards the socially accepted role and status of young Muslim women? And does the effect differ as between non-Muslim majority (UK) and Muslim majority (UAE) contexts? Primarily, it will integrate the discursive practices of comics into the broader theorization of identity construction. If the study finds that Ms Marvel can have a positive effect on attitudes towards young Muslim women, then it will also contribute to current debates on ‘desecuritisation’ and the ‘clash of civilisations’.
Research Team
Jennifer Jackson-Preece is Associate Professor of Nationalism at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Since the 1990s, Dr Jackson-Preece has had a sustained engagement with problems and practices of minorities and migrants, both as a researcher and as an advisor to international and non-governmental organisations.
Badreya Al-Jenaibi is a Professor in Mass Communication at the UAEU. Her research interests include international communication, public relations, as well as the uses and effects of mass media, and new media. She has received Khlifa Award for the best distinguished teacher and professor in the Arab world, Arab Youth and Academic Publishing Award, Arab Women Creative Award, Quality Assurance and Community Service Award, UAEU Academic and Publishing Award, Volunteering Award.
Maria W. Norris is a Guest Teacher at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her PhD analysed the selective application of the terrorism label in the UK. Her research interests include national security, counter-terrorism strategy, British politics, nationalism, identity and human rights. Her current research focuses on the intersection of terrorism and immigration policy. She has written extensively about comic books for Talking Comics and co-hosts the Talking Shojo podcast.