Doctorate Research
ABOUT
My name is Celine and I am a PhD researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). I hold a first-class BA in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Manchester and an MSc in History of International Relations from the LSE.
In 2018, I was awarded LSE’s Medlicott Prize for my master’s thesis, ‘French Algerian Hip-Hop: Colonialism, the Civil War and the Homeland.’ My undergraduate dissertation focusing on the experiences of Turkish immigrants in Germany through hip-hop also received an award for the highest grade in the department.
As part of LSE Library’s Oral History Project, I have conducted several interviews across the university community, including with the Director of LSE and former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Baroness Minouche Shafik. I have also gained valuable media experience with the BBC, the London Turkish Film Festival and Journeyman Pictures.
RESEARCH
My research seeks to understand the experiences of second and third generation Algerians in France. Within a contemporary socio-political landscape marked by social unrest, the increasing prominence of far-right ideologies and the divisive politicisation of topics like immigration and Islam, my thesis traces the social histories and trajectories of French Algerians - the largest group of Muslims in France. In particular, my research uses the lens of hip-hop to delve into themes of colonialism, Islam, racism, poverty, violence and cultural identity. The overarching aim of the thesis is to build the first contemporary history of young Algerian immigrants living in 21st century France.
INTERVIEWS
My research is concentrated in Paris and Marseille, and combines oral history with ethnographic work and digital qualitative analysis.
Rappers recently interviewed include Sinik, Freeman (IAM), Jarod, Scred Connexion and Worms-T.
THE BRILLIANT CLUB
In 2024, I designed and taught a history course entitled, ‘Global Flows: Hip-Hop and Migration’. Based on my PhD research, the course was delivered as part of an access program that supports A-Level students from state schools and under-represented backgrounds in successfully applying to LSE and other selective UK universities.
THE ORAL HISTORY SOCIETY CONFERENCE
In 2022, I presented my doctoral research at the Oral History Society Annual Conference in London, alongside a panel of scholars focusing on the ‘Muslim experience’ in Europe. My presentation was entitled, ‘Exploring Questions of Home and Belonging for French Muslims in Hip-Hop’.
THE FRENCH HISTORY PODCAST
My work has been featured on the French History Podcast. The episode, ‘Remembering the Algerian War through Hip-Hop’, explores how contemporary rappers have depicted the Algerian War - especially through themes like sexual violence and torture.
