Zuzanna Augustyniak, Ph.D.
e-mail: z.augustyniak@uw.edu.pl
consultations for students: Thursday 11:30 – 13:00
Research areas
Africanist specialising in Ethiopian studies, with an interdisciplinary approach combining anthropology, history and gender studies. Her work focuses on the evolution of social and legal norms in Ethiopia, with a particular focus on masculinity, cultural identity and marriage customs. She also addresses the Ethiopian diaspora, particularly in Egypt, and more broadly issues of gender and sexuality in African societies.
Academic degrees
2017, Ph.D. „The Evolution of marriage as an institution in the context of Ethiopian legal codes”, supervisor: prof. dr hab. Stanisław Piłaszewicz.
2009, M.A. in African studies: „Political marriages in Ethiopia in 19th and 20th Century”, supervisor: dr hab. Hanna Rubinkowska Anioł.
2006, B.A. in Cross-cultural studies: „The symbol of the Serpent in African cultures”, supervisor: dr hab. Ewa Siwierska.
Academic work experience
Since 2018 – assistant professor, Department of African Languages and Cultures, UW.
2015 – 2018, research assistant, Department of African Languages and Cultures, UW.
Research projects
Since 2023 – Early Islamic Tradition in Ethiopia: Archaeological-Ethnographic Research in Negash (Tigray, Ethiopia)
2020 – 2025 – Archeo-Oriental Studies (POB IV: The Humanities: Crossing Borders, Extending Capabilities, Action I.3.10) https://archeo-orient.idub.uw.edu.pl/en/home-page/
2019 – 2024 – Yilunta as a category systematising gender relations. A preliminary analysis of the phenomenon in the context of the experiences of Ethiopian migrants in Cairo (Egypt).
Scholarships and study visits
2023 – 2024 – workshops for staff members and PhD students of Institute of Palaeo-Environment and Heritage Conservation, Mekelle University (Etiopia).
2021 – 2024 – workshops for staff members of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Cairo and Alexandria office).
2021 – field research in Cairo: „Being good at being man” – construction of Ethiopian masculinity and the institution of yilunta (Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology UW scholarship).
2019/2020 – field research in Cairo: A self-portrait of Ethiopian man – questioning traditional model of Ethiopian masculinity and the experience of migration (Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology UW scholarship).
2018 – field research in Cairo: Coptic sources of the Ethiopian 16th Century legal code (Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology UW scholarship).
2013 – library research at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
2012 – field research in Addis Ababa: Sources of the Ethiopian legislation related to the institution of marriage.
2012 – research stay at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (STT LLP Erasmus).
2011 – library research at the Addis Ababa University.
2010 – research stay at the Asien-Afrika-Institut, Universität Hamburg (STT LLP Erasmus).
Conference and seminar presentations
2025. Papers: “In Egypt we are women” – yilunta and the migration and Negash – retracing the first hijra in Ethiopia (with Kamil Kuraszkiewicz), African Studies Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta (USA).
2025. Papers: Neither friends, nor foes – Ethiopian diaspora in Cairo and Early Islamic Tradition in Ethiopia. Archaeo-Ethnographic Research in Negash (Tigray) (with Kamil Kuraszkiewicz), co-organising the panel Pathways and boundaries – Tigray’s crossroads (Panel 15.4); 22. International Conference of Ethiopian Studies “Ethiopia in Transition: Heritage, Innovation, and Future Pathways”, Hawassa University, Ethiopia.
2025. Co-organising the panel Decolonising Minds and Relations – Diverse Approaches of Cooperation with African Partners, and papers: Neither friends, nor foes – Ethiopian diaspora in Cairo and We’re in this together – Saqqara as an example of inclusion of local knowledge into archaeological activity (with Kamil Kuraszkiewicz), “Africa, Afropean, Afropolitan. European Conference on African Studies”, Charles University, Prague.
2025. Hail to the New Emperor. Abiy Ahmed and neo-negusism, “Power, Space, and Culture II”, University of Warsaw.
2025. (with Kamil Kuraszkiewicz): Negash. An interdisciplinary research project in Tigray (Ethiopia),“Poles on the Nile”, University of Warsaw.
2024. Ethiopian migrants in Cairo. Preliminary research, “IIéme Colloque sur les Études Éthiopiennes”, Société d’Archéologie Copte, Cairo.
2024. Co-organising the panel Archaeological Heritage – Diversifying Approaches of Cooperation with Non-European Partners and the paper (with Kamil Kuraszkiewicz): We’re in this together – Saqqara as an example of inclusion of local knowledge into archaeological activity, “European Association of Archeologists: Persisting with Change”, Sapienza University, Rome.
2024. Yilunta jako kategoria porządkująca relacje płciowe. Próba analizy zjawiska w kontekście doświadczeń etiopskich migrantów w Kairze, “7th Congress of Polish Africanists”, Jagiellonian University in Cracow.
2024. (as part of a round-table): Roundtable II: Tools of Power – Teaching about the Past in Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, “6th Biennial AEGIS CRG African History Conference”, University of Basel, Switzerland.
2023. Organising the round-table Visions of the Past. Teaching History as a Tool of Power, ” Society of Africanist Archeologists Annual Meeting”, Rice University, Texas, USA.
2022. (with Kamil O. Kuraszkiewicz): Archaeo-Oriental Studies: Filling A Gap in Knowledge and Research, “31st International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies “Recent Ideas and Research”, Université du Luxembourg.
2022. “A true Ethiopian” – Abiy Ahmed Ali’s usage of Ethiopian cultural keywords, “Art of communication and communication through art in Asia and Africa”, University of Warsaw.
2021. A self-portrait of Ethiopian man – questioning traditional model of Ethiopian masculinity and the experience of migration, “6th Congress of Polish Africanists”, Warsaw.
2021. „Being good at being man” – construction of Ethiopian masculinity and the institution of yilunta, Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology, Cairo.
2020. Abyi Ahmed Ali – New Sun of Ethiopia. A portrait of a man and politician, “9th International Conference: New Horizons in Oriental Studies”, Warsaw.
2019. Ethiopian man – between Christianity and Islam, “Father, teologist, warrior – archetype of a man in Muslim culture”, Warsaw.
2019. Kibre Negest and the legendary roots of Ethiopian civilization, “Colloque sur Études Éthiopiennes”, Société d’Archéologie Copte, Cairo.
2018. Fǝtḥa nägäśt – the first official Ethiopian code of laws and its relation to Nomocanon of Ibn al-Asal, Société d’Archéologie Copte, Cairo.
2018. Marriages according to Ethiopian legal codes, Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology, Cairo.
2018. Fabula: Yawreoch Commedia by Tekle Hawariat Tekle Mariam and George Orwell’s Animal Farm – same topic, different approach, “The Oral and the Written Intertwined: Perspectives on African Cultures”, Warsaw.
2018. Collectio æthiopica of the Library of the Department of African Languages and Cultures, “20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies”, Mekelle.
2018. Institution of marriage based on Ethiopian legal codes, “20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies”, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
2017. Ethiopian marriages based on two legal codes, “Africa Days 2017”, Warsaw.
2017. Delegalisation of Ethiopian t’elefa marriage, “Women against domination and opression. Feminist perspective”, Łódź.
2015. Laws concerning marriage in Ethiopia-theory and practice. Studies based on 19th and 20th century chronicles of Ethiopian rulers, “19th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies”, Warsaw.
2012. The Source of „Fytha Negest”, first written Ethiopian legal code, „Asia and Africa: cultures-religions-languages”, Warsaw.
2011. From subjects to citizens – the evolution of Ethiopians according to legal codes, “The evolution of African societies and states”, Kielce.
2010. Sex taboos in Ethiopia, “4th Congress of Polish Africanists”, Obra.
2009. Lij Iyasu’s marriages as a reflection of his internal policy, “Life and Times of Lij Iyasu: New Insights”, Desie, Ethiopia.
2009. The Rise and Fall of Bafena, emperor Menelik II consort, “17th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies”, Addis Ababa.
Teaching
Classes at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, UW: Cultures of the Horn of Africa; Everyday Life in Africa; Gender in Africa; African Societies and Cultures; Theatre in Africa, Africa in Theatre; Law in Ethiopia; Art of Africa; Social and Cultural Issues in Africa.
Membership in research associations
Polish Association of African Studies
African Studies Association
Administrative and other activities
Since 2021: Supervisor of the Interdepartmental African Studies Club.
2019 – 2021 – Secretary of the Admission Committee for Studies on Cultures and Religions at the Humanities’ Doctoral School.
2010 – 2023 – Member Secretary of the Admission Committee for the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
2013 – 2014 – Member of the unit evaluating the Quality of Education.
2009 – 2013 – Member of the unit granting scholarships at the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
2010 – 2011; 2012 – 2013 – President of Council of Doctoral Students at the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Organising the I Scientific Conference for Doctoral Students and Young Scholars at the Faculty of Oriental Studies „Asia and Africa: Cultures – Religions – Languages” (26-27.04.2012; member of the Organisational Committee)
Organising the II Scientific Conference for Doctoral Students and Young Scholars „Otherness, Diversity, Tolerance in Cultures of Asia and Africa” (26-27.04.2013; member of the Organisational Committee)
Organising the II Scientific Conference for Doctoral Students and Young Scholars „Free time, Psycho-active Substances, Sexuality – around Everyday Practices in Asian and African Cultures” (19-20.05.2014; member of the Organisational Committee)