Professor Emma Murphy is Professor of Political Economy at the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham.
Tell us about your role within your department:
I am a professor of political economy in the School of Government and International Affairs with a particular research interest in the Middle East and North Africa. At undergraduate level I teach on the main political economy modules but I can offer dissertation supervision expertise on a wide range of Middle East themes, including politics, international relations, gender studies, political economy and sociology. My current research focuses on Middle Eastern and North African youth in the global political economy.
What first attracted you to your chosen field of expertise?
My family have had links to the Arab world since the 1920s. I was bought up on stories of T.E. Lawrence, of Palestinian uprisings during the Mandate, and of tank battles in the North African desert. After my undergraduate degree I visited Israel and the West Bank and was hooked to the point where I had to do a masters degree and a PhD on the region. The amazing and diverse histories and cultures are just the beginning: today’s Arab countries are vibrant reflections of the massive shifts currently underway in the structures of our global political economy. My research investigates the changing distributions of wealth and power distributions within the region and between it and the rest of the world, with a particular focus on the everyday lived experiences of young people and women, constantly reminding me that the differences between us are often less than we think
What is your favourite subject to teach and why?
First year Perspectives of Political Economy every time! I love introducing students to new ways of looking at the world, to developing a ‘big picture’ lens while also coming to their stories through their own everyday interactions with the global political economy. At Durham we are fortunate to get fabulous students, full of curiosity and enthusiasm. The challenge is to ‘catch them’ fresh in and turn them into skilled, engaged political economists. The third year Youth and Youth Policy module, which includes significant study of countries in the Middle East as well as China, Russia and even the UK, is an opportunity for me to learn as much from you student interlocutors as they learn from me; a shared journey exploring the challenges young people around the world face, their strategies for navigating them, and the policies of governments and organisations which claim to address them.
What can students expect from their first few weeks on your course?
My students can always expect to be challenged. I try to ensure they develop strong theoretical foundations that can sustain them through the module, but I also push them to bring in their own experiences, perspectives and wider reading to class discussions.
What do you think makes your department unique?
SGIA is a friendly, efficient department. Within it, IMEIS offers a unique collaborative platform for sharing research, teaching, and social activities. It is an inclusive space here everyone is valued, whether they are staff or student, undergraduate or postgraduate. It is always incredible how many people find their way to IMEIS and have something to offer. We have great links with other departments, with colleagues in other UK Universities, with collaborative partners in countries like Germany, China, Kurdistan, Palestine, Norway and Italy . There is always something happening, a conference, someone coming to speak, a social event or a postgraduate seminar. If you have a passion for the region, this is your home.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of studying your course?
Buckle up for the ride of your life.
What have your students gone on to do after graduating from Durham?
All sorts. FCDO, finance, international aid organisations, law, journalism, the public sector, teaching. The important point is that our students come out WANTING to do something and usually with a pretty good idea of what that might be and how to get there.
