Linda Herrera

Linda Herrera is a social anthropologist with regional specialization in the Middle East and North Africa. She works in the fields of comparative/international education, international development studies, and youth studies. She received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in Middle East Studies, MA from the American University in Cairo in Anthropology and Sociology, and PhD from Teachers College, Columbia University in Comparative and International Education. Her research interests lay at the intersection of education and social transformation in the Middle East and North Africa, critical ethnography and critical pedagogy, and youth citizenship and politics in a digital era. More recently she has been turning her attention to youth politics and revolution in the Middle East.

Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Comparative and International Education, Columbia University,
  • M.A., Anthropology and Sociology, American University in Cairo,
  • B.A., Middle East Studies, University of California, Berkeley,

Key Professional Appointments

  • Senior Lecturer of Development Studies, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, 2005-2011
  • Associate Professor, Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, 2011--

Activities & Honors

  • Co-editor of Jadaliyya's On Media and Reporting Page, Jadaliyya, Arab Studies Institute, 2012- present

Research Statement

Linda Herrera is a social anthropologist with regional specialization in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). She works in the fields of global studies in education, international development, and youth studies. Her work examines the intersection of youth, education, and power at the local to global levels. She has undertaken critical ethnographic studies of Egyptian schools, biographical research of Muslim youth, and has also carried out analysis of the relationship between international politics, education reform, and youth movements. More recently Herrera has turned her attention to global citizenship, the Arab uprisings, and youth struggles for dignity, livelihoods, and democracy in the digital age.

In The News

From Illinois to Egypt: Professor Linda Herrera and others meet with Diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei

Jan. 22, 2013

Linda Herrera, professor the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, recently led a small delegation from the University of Illinois to Egypt to meet with Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei and Egyptian youth. Read more...