Amina Akbar, a graduate student in Pitt’s Department of Communication, has been awarded the prestigious Waterhouse Family Institute Research Grant for the Study of Communication and Society from Villanova University.
Endowed by Mr. Lawrence Waterhouse Jr., The Waterhouse Family Institute supports communication scholars whose research works to advance the creation of a more socially just world. Each year, the Institute provides competitive grants to fund projects that explore the transformative role of communications within our society.
Akbar’s research focuses on the Shaheed Manar, a monument in Dakar honoring the lives of those killed during the Bengali Language Movement demonstrations in 1952. She explores the monument's representation of the ongoing resistance and resilience of communities that continue to be silenced and marginalized. This grant will help her continue to bring awareness to the voices of everyday people whose experiences go unheard in Dakar and all across the globe.
“This grant is vital because it helps me amplify the voices of everyday people—locals who experience it daily or those with a personal, emotional connection—within the global discourse,” Akbar said. “While official narratives often focus on elite perspectives, the stories of ordinary people tend to go unheard. With this support, I can document and share these lived experiences, ensuring that the history of oppression and perseverance associated with the Shaheed Minar reaches a broader audience and continues to motivate efforts for dignity and cultural survival.”
In visiting Bangladesh in June of 2024, Akbar was able to begin her research, conducting interviews and observing performances at the Shaheed Manar, but due to the tense political climate and time constraints she was unable to collect as much data and information as she hoped. With the help of this grant, Akbar now plans to return to Bangladesh in February 2026 to continue her research and participate in International Mother Language Day.