Assist. Prof. Tesnim Khriji and Visiting Researcher Dr. Intissar Kherigi Attend the British Sociological Association Annual Meeting

Asst. Prof. Tesnim Khriji and Visiting Researcher Dr. Intissar Kherigi from the Sociology Department participated in the British Sociological Association (BSA) Annual Meeting 2026, held from April 8-10, 2026, at the University of Manchester, UK. This year's event was themed "75 Years of Sociology" and brought together scholars from around the world.

Asst. Prof. Tesnim Khriji’s presentation, "Storytelling as Resistance: Activist Narratives, Trauma and Civic Resilience in Tunisia", explored the role of storytelling in sustaining democratic resilience amidst repression in Tunisia. Asst.Prof. Khriji’s research examined how Tunisian civil society actors use narratives to cope with trauma and transform collective experiences into resources for democratic resistance. Activist narratives shift from victimization to agency, documenting achievements in areas like gender rights, disability rights, and local governance, showing how storytelling can facilitate social change even under authoritarian rule.

Visiting Researcher Dr. Intissar Kherigi’s paper, "Between Continuity and Change: The Role of Bureaucratic Elites in Democratic Transitions", analyzed the changing role of bureaucratic elites during democratic transitions. Drawing on Weberian theories of bureaucracy and elite sociology, Asst. Prof. Kherigi examined how political transitions in Tunisia generate competition among elite groups and how bureaucratic elites adapt to shifting power dynamics. The research highlighted the influence of colonial legacies, informal authority structures, and international donor networks on the functioning of bureaucratic elites during democratization processes.

Both presentations provided valuable insights into the political dynamics of Tunisia’s democratic transition, highlighting the role of culture, narratives, and bureaucratic elites in shaping democratic renewal and resilience.