Reem Abou-Samra

Degrees

• Ph.D., Political Science, Wayne State University
• M.A., Political Science, Wayne State University
• M.A., Classical Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Wayne State University
• B.A., Political Science, University of Massachusetts

Biography

Reem Abou-Samra is a researcher, activist, teacher focusing on the Arab and Muslim American patriotism; identity, culture, and history of people in the SWANA region; American politics and history and its intersection with different minority and groups; as well as exegetical studies of Islamic classical sources.

She holds a doctorate and master's in political science, and a second masters in Near Eastern Studies, Arabic, and Islam. Her current research focuses on Islamic Exceptionalism using exegetical approaches and analyzing classical and contemporary resources. She is interested in identity and the role different identity groups play in creating multiple narratives of Islam; as well as issues of disempowerment and problematic framing of Muslims throughout history. She has presented her research at local, regional, national and international conferences. Currently, she is an instructor at the University of Detroit Mercy's Religious Studies program.

Reem uses an interactive discussion and dialectical approach to teaching through the lens of agency and structure to help students find their own power and agency to shape their most immediate surroundings. She is the current co-chair of the Religious Studies panel at the annual Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters and the former 2022 President of the organization. In addition, Reem is a Spoken Word artist and has a published collection named Fractured: Between Truth and Lies and a recently released publication titled just: enough.