SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
American University · Washington, D.C.
PHD STUDENT Julie M. Norman
Julie M. Norman
Julie M. Norman
E-mail: julie.norman [at] american.edu
Research and Background
Julie has worked with various human rights organizations and youth groups in the Middle East. After earning a self-designed BA degree in "Media, Education, and Activism" at Duke University, she received a documentary media fellowship to work with an early childhood development NGO in Cairo, Egypt. She has since worked with several development and human rights NGOs in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and has been involved in projects focusing specifically on youth, nonviolent resistance, and participatory media. In the summer of 2006, Julie founded the Contrast Project (www.contrastproject.org), a youth photography initiative with community centers in the Bethlehem area that uses photography as a tool for expression and advocacy.
Julie has an MA from American University in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), and is concentrating her doctoral studies on IPCR and human rights, with a geographic focus on the Middle East. Her dissertation topic, "Youth Participation in Nonviolent Activism in Palestine," explores the shifts in youth involvement in popular resistance since the first intifada. Specifically, Julie aims to examine the role of civil society organizations in the current nonviolent campaign, the use of mass media and alternative media as forms of advocacy, and the extent to which human rights frameworks are utilized in conceptualizing nonviolent activism. Julie is using a mixed methodology approach, incorporating narrative interviews, survey analysis, and participant action/observation. She will also be drawing from various theoretical literatures, including social movements, nonviolence, popular education, youth development, civil society, media activism, and human rights.
In addition to her dissertation, Julie has conducted research on human rights and democracy, human security, nonviolence in Islam, rape law in Islam, sexual violence, and refugees/IDPs.
Currently ABD, Julie is conducting research for her dissertation in Jerusalem and the West Bank. She will return to AU in fall 2007, where she will be teaching SIS 308, "Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution."