Isra Saymour

Education

PH.D. CANDIDATE | Department of Sociology, University of Toronto | 2020-PRESENT

Specialization in Sociology of Crime & Law, Sociology of Culture

*"*A Mansion of Ruins": Manuscript Looting, Colonial Control, and the Plunder of the Mughal Imperial Library. Committee: Kristin Plys & Zaheer Baber (co-supervisors), Chris Smith, Alex Gillespie

MASTER OF ARTS | Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies, University of Toronto | 2020

“Crime at the Museum: Culture, Contradictions, and Legitimacy at the Royal Ontario Museum” Ethnography, supervised by Dr. Beatrice Jauregui

HONOURS BACHELOR OF ARTS | University of Toronto Mississauga | ****High Distinction | 2019

Criminology, Law & Society, Sociocultural Anthropology

Dean’s List Scholar | CGPA 3.96 | Outstanding Program Performance Awards: Depts. of Sociology, Anthropology


Research Interests

cultural heritage

provenance

organized crime

postcolonialism

sociolegal studies

restitution

culture

history


Research Experience

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR & DIRECTOR, Looting Lab / 2024 -

Looting Lab / Jackman Humanities Institute / UTM. Convenor and director of interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to the study of looted and contested cultural heritage (the first research initiative of its kind). Responsible for directing and developing Lab, securing funding, and organizing monthly reading group and annual workshop. Awarded JHI Working Group Funding and funds from various UofT/UTM units.

DOCTORAL FELLOW, Old Books New Science Lab, UTM | 2023 - 2026

Hidden Stories: New Approaches to the Local and Global History of the Book | UTM, UTL, Princeton, Mellon Foundation