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Inspired by the "Humans of.." concept of sharing stories originated by photoblogger Brandon Stanton in New York, Humans of ID is a podcast where students in the LSE Department of International Development sit down with classmates, instructors, and alumni to learn about their stories and how they are interacting with issues in, and approaches to, development.
In these informal discussions, the Career and Professional Development team engages with guests, learning about their journey in the development field and discussing some pressing contemporary issues in international development. New episodes drop every Tuesday and are a great way to delve into the world of development whilst you are on the go!
Hello, and welcome back to the Humans of ID podcast with a twist, careers and professional development edition, hosted by the Department of International at the London School of Economics and Political Science, ID student organizers, careers, and professional team. In this episode, I will be joined by LSE professor doctor Omar Al-Ghazzi. Doctor Omar Al-Ghazzi is an associate professor in the department of media and communications at the LSE. Within academia, his research delves into the geopolitics of global communication amidst changes in the media and popular culture. In this, he explores how narratives shape our understanding of time, memory, and our recollection, particularly looking at the Middle East and North Africa.
Razan Awwad:His impressive body of work has been featured in leading communication journals like the communication theory, journalism, and the International Journal of communication. Beyond academia, he lends his expertise as an editor to the Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication, and he also frequents x as one of my personal favorite tweeters. So without further ado, my name is Razan Awwad, and I'm your podcast host for this episode, and I'm here with doctor Al-Ghazzi. Hello. How are you?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Hello.
Razan Awwad:We're so thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with you today given your outstanding and multifaceted professional experience in academia and beyond. So without further ado, let's jump right in. As some of our audience may not have had the pleasure of being taught by you, can you tell us a little bit about what drove you to pursue a career in this path and how you became a lecturer at the LSC? Mhmm.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Yes. Thank you for for hosting me. Well, in terms of my career, I started, so I started as a journalist actually, not not as, an academic. But even when I did my undergrad, I knew that I'm interested in in media communication, but I wasn't sure what exactly should I do with it. So I in my undergrad, I studied communication arts with a focus on production.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:So, that was in in Lebanon, in Beirut at the Lebanese American University. And I like, part of the part of that degree was to, to direct a film, a play, and a documentary, and kind of try the more production side, which I enjoyed, but I saw that I was actually more drawn to to theory and to kind of, thinking theoretically about media rather than, actually kind of do going into the the production route. I did a master's after that in international communication, but I then pursued a career in journalism. So I worked for, an Arabic, Arabic daily, which was called Al Hayat. It, I don't it doesn't I think it had to close down for because a lot of print media are under, a lot of funding pressure.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:But, anyway, it was one of the major Pan Arab newspapers. So I I worked for them in Beirut and in New York, and then I worked for the BBC for for 3 years, but I still had that kind of underlying passion that I want more time to think and write. And so I then, switched gears and pursued a PhD in communication at the University of Pennsylvania in the in the US, and that's kind of where I found more my my rhythm, I guess, in terms of, career preferences.
Razan Awwad:Okay. That's that's super impressive trajectory. And I I really enjoy the fact that you changed a lot, but I was wondering what were the main points of inspiration that motivated you to to flip career path?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Okay. Yeah. So with communication, actually, it is a very interdisciplinary field. The the discipline of communication is interested in processes of of mediation. Part of that is obviously media, be it broadcast media, print media, or or social media.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:But more broadly, it is the the social science that's focused on how we communicate, as a society. And so a lot of my colleagues, let's say, a lot of them would not have studied communication. But actually, for me, I'm one of the rare ones who from undergraduate studies until the PhD, it's been communication rather than anthropology or sociology or or political science. So I think I I've always been drawn to to issues around, representation, expression, agency, media. That book that's always been kind of my my, intellectual passion and career path.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:I, as I mentioned, tried kind of the the journalism route and in my studies also kind of media more media production. But I found myself, more drawn to to to academia. So my sources of of inspiration, it is it is hard sometimes to articulate that, but I think it it has to do with the geopolitics of of communication growing up in the in the Middle East. I grew up in Lebanon and and Syria, kind of politics and warfare and, has always been part of part of my life and and upbringing and kind of these mismatches between between what what happens on the ground, the way we talk about it, the different framings, that that conflict is is subjected to in different in different, spaces, political spaces, kind of within within countries and across countries. So, yeah, that's that's always been, the questions that I'm drawn to.
Razan Awwad:I I'm really interested by this point of representation that you said and how this is kind of like a point of inspiration. And as a student who is interested in the MENA region and tries to implement Yeah. Like, for for me, it's, I'm overcome it?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Yeah. Like, for for me, it's, I I think it's it's an intellectual question and a question about pedagogy and teaching because how can we understand the world from one vantage point, which is, let's say, Eurocentric or American centric or or Anglo American, the only the only way to to understand the world and our position in it is to look at it from different perspectives and different vantage points and and consider what it means to to look at the world, let's say, from from Beirut, from Gaza, from Cairo, from Jakarta, and from London, New York. So, like, that's that's very important in my teaching, and I always, in my classes draw on examples from from all around the world and pay attention also to the readings that I assign, what contexts are they are they grappling with. Because even with theory, we tend to think this is just kind of, theoretical or philosophical, but any author is engaging with the world in whatever style, they they write. So, it is a question of of representation and inclusivity, but to me, it's also a fundamental, question about inquiry and intellect.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Because if we if if we're partial when it comes to to thinking of the world, we're partial in our thinking.
Razan Awwad:No. That's that's really important, and super useful, but I wanna also push back on this journalism experience. Could you tell tell us a little bit about that, before, of course, you switch to academia?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Mhmm. Okay. So for for journalism, so you mean in terms of representation?
Razan Awwad:Representation, your experience, how you I don't pursue this kind of inquiry in it. Did you feel like you had the space to explore the field?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Okay. So, in in journalism, it's actually a very constraining, environment and profession because, of course, an individual journalist is subject to the editorial policy of the newspaper or the, news organization that they that they work for. And so, like, there's actually not much space to to deviate from kind of the editorial the editorial line, and it's always a challenge to to pitch stories or to kind of, challenge the news agenda of the organization you you work for. And I think, now these, like, these kind of, tensions are actually ex have exacerbated over the over the years because of funding pressures and kind of the the entry of of social media and, and the Internet into the the news ecology and and kind of this massive way. And economically also, there are less jobs in, in journalism.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:So a lot of a lot of people going into journalism feel that they don't have a lot of choices in terms of where where they work. So we have to like, when we think on the individual level and career level, we have to also kind of be aware of the larger of the larger economic picture that that's constraining. But even back then when I was working, I found it very frustrating not not to have a kind of that freedom to to write what I wanted and the space actually to to think more, and to engage with the world on a on a deeper on a deeper level, because with journalism, as you know, it's very constrained in time. There's such an emphasis on on speed and, and, you know, production and being the first. And so, that's what's valued in in journalism, and, of course, that comes at the expense of of offering more, more nuanced and more truthful account of of the world.
Razan Awwad:I mean, just to touch on that, and you can also discuss, your experience in academia, are there any personal experiences or anecdotes that have left a lasting impression on you?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:In in, journalism
Razan Awwad:or Journalism, academia, any anything. You know, something that you when you look back at your career, something that just stays with you, I guess.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Well, okay. In terms of, like, I think, maybe something that it would be important for for students to know. A lot of looking back at my career, a lot of shifts that happened, a lot of decisions that have happened, required kind of, people supporting me, required a bit of a lot of luck actually and, but a lot of networks as well. So to to to put yourself out there, to meet people, and even even, when you think about, let's say, your relationships with your fellow students, you really never know in 5, 10 years who's going to be your colleague, who's going to be your boss. And so to to engage part in education spaces in the world always kind of with that long term thinking.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Looking back at my career, I've had, for example, when I was doing my PhD, I had teachers who later became my my boss. For example, maybe, like, journalist friends who we collaborated at a later stage, someone who wasn't very like, maybe a a distant, coworker who, tells me about an a work opportunity later. So I think relationships between people are are very important. And for me, I'd like to, I think, leave, like, it's it's kind of a balance between having the ambition of of looking for that job that is, you know, your your dream job, but also leaving leaving the space for the unexpected, and leaving that space for being comfortable with uncertainty. So I think it's a it's a balance between these two dispositions that worked well for me in my career.
Razan Awwad:And just, like, on the back of that, for those students that are interested in pursuing a career in academia, research, or journalism, what advice, would you offer for gaining relevant experience and making a meaningful impact in the field? Mhmm.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Yes. So the the the first thing I would say is that, we live in a great city, which is which is London, and there are so many opportunities here in London. Let's say, from journalist clubs to a lot of events that happen, whether at LSE, at universities around. So there's really so much so much opportunity and exposure that on the one hand can be overwhelming, but I think, to take advantage of that is is really important to be, you know, everybody talks about networking, for example. And, of course, some of us are are more comfortable in networking than others.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:But to put yourself out there, to to talk to people, to engage with with people, I think that is, that's important to do particularly in a in a city like like London and to be true true to oneself as well. Like, not to to have kind of, a clear especially when it comes to journalism and and writing. As I said, there's a lot of pressure now. You know, it's very difficult actually to to navigate politics in in the world today, particularly with, like, with I don't know. I think everybody now is, of course, thinking about about Gaza in the back of, you know, in in everything that that that we do.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:And I know there's there's a lot of a lot of pressure, for example, not to speak out or to be silent, because, you know, one is afraid that maybe they don't get that that opportunity. I think and first of all, I want to acknowledge that that pressure, and I know that a lot of students would be would be thinking about that. But on the same time, I think it is important to to be true to yourself, to your identity, and your politics, and moral framework, and not to not to compromise that because ultimately, even though we we talk about careers, like, the most important thing is to be fulfilled as a as a person, to be human, to be in in solidarity with with others, and and we need to check our our politics constantly in in terms of that. Otherwise, you know, to be, like, to be categorized becomes a very negative actually pursuit.
Razan Awwad:No. I I really agree with you, and I think censorship is something that a lot of students are facing right now. And I I wonder if this was a challenge you ever faced and how you overcame it.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:Yes. Like, these pressures are are, of course, not new. Like, when I for example, when I even before I did my masters, so I I started doing my masters in 2004. I it was in the US. I was on a on a Fulbright scholarship, and this was in the aftermath of 9/11.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:There was a lot of pressure back then in in terms of you know, there was the invasion of Iraq. So there there is a history there is a history to this. And, of course, when you're when you're starting off kind of your like, one cannot but be worried about their career and thinking about their their prospects in in relation to that. But it's also important not to, again, like, not to not to feel compromised that at any point because because looking back at at your life choices, it's really important to be to be proud of of what you've done and not to feel that at any point, for example, you you compromised your moral framework for for anyone or any job.
Razan Awwad:No. I I agree, and I think this is, an amazing piece of advice to give students. And just to kind of wrap up the podcast, if you had another piece of advice, guidance, inspiration, that you wanted to share with the audience, who are just starting out or seeking a path in this career, what what would you say?
Omar Al-Ghazzi:I would say find situate yourself within within a community, within a group of friends, even because, you know, when we talk, let's say, about networking, it's it can be overwhelming to think, like, I need to network with with the world, but it doesn't it doesn't have to be that way. You we need, we need a community to sub to support us, whether whether that be personally, also professionally, and, academically, what you know, in in whatever kind of context we are we are thinking about. So to to reach out to allies and, and ask for advice. I think that's that's actually another really important aspect. A lot a lot of the time, and looking back not only in terms of my own personal story, but people around me, when when one feels, maybe as a level of insecurity, you don't want to share or you don't want to seek advice or you don't want, you know, like, let's say, from if applying to something, share your personal statement or your CV because, you know, you're you wanna keep it to yourself.
Omar Al-Ghazzi:No. Like, actually, seek help and seek advice and and reach out to people because that is ultimately what will make you stand out and make like, even if if you have that one interview with a job you really want, prepare, practice, reach out to people in your community who you trust to kind of, to to to prepare well. So that would be my my advice.
Razan Awwad:Thank you. Thank you so much. I will definitely take your advice, and we hope our listeners will too. Once again, thank you so much doctor Amari Lazi for being our guest on the humans of ID podcast organized by the department of international development and hosted by LSE ID student organizers, careers, and professional development team. Thanks to you, today, we had the opportunity to delve into the world of academia and the prospects, insights, and challenges that can come up when navigating that field as well as the world of journalism.
Razan Awwad:We thank you so much especially for your humanity and relatability. It's comforting, encouraging, and inspiring. I'd also like to give a special thanks to all our listeners, the department of international development, Maya Bullen and Andrea Merino Mayayo. All the ID student organizers behind this project including Valentina Papu, my script co editor, Makayla Levitt, the producer and editor, as well as Shawani, our transcript editor and podcast
Razan Awwad:manager. Please make sure to subscribe to our podcast on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow us at the LSE Department of International Development on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Razan Awwad:Send through send us any comments, suggestions, questions, and thoughts on what you'd like to hear on the international development link in bio as we wanna hear from you and stay tuned for more of our best guests as we continue exploring further insights on how to start out in the development sector. This podcast will continue with special guests covering sectors on international organizations, government, NGOs, and think tanks. The next podcast will be a studio episode joined by LSE professor Naila Kabir. Until next time, this has been your host, Razan Awwad.