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Aisha Khanat
Navigating Identity and Belonging: Muslim Women in Academia
Biography
Aisha Khanat is a 2025 graduate of the Professional Communication program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has a strong passion for digital media, social media strategy, and the ways communication and culture intersect. Throughout her studies, Aisha has developed a solid foundation in content creation, strategic communication, and digital marketing, skills she is excited to apply in her
future career.
Throughout her academic journey, Aisha has gained valuable experience working in various marketing and communications roles, including running her own business, Hennafied.to, where she merges her love for creativity and entrepreneurship. With a strong interest in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Aisha is eager to continue refining her marketing and social media skills while pursuing opportunities in EDI and communications.
Her work and interests reflect a commitment to creating inclusive, meaningful connections through communication and digital storytelling.
Details of Project
This study explores how higher education shapes the identities of Muslim women, focusing on the intersections of race, religion, and social integration. As a Muslim woman of colour, this topic holds personal significance for me, as I have experienced firsthand the challenges Muslim women face in academic environments. These challenges often remain underexplored in existing research.
The study will examine themes such as identity formation, social integration, and resilience, exploring how Muslim women navigate systemic barriers such as discrimination, Islamophobia, and gender bias. It will also investigate the role of peer relationships and support networks in fostering a sense of belonging, as well as how academic curricula portray Muslim women and influence their sense of identity.
This research aims to fill a critical gap in understanding how these women navigate identity formation within educational contexts, offering insights into how Muslim women assert agency and resilience within academia. It will contribute to broader conversations on equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education.
Lightning talk
