Ataya: The HUMA Interdisciplinary Seminar Series

Speaker: Yousra Hamdaoui (University Hassan II de Casablanca & HUMA Visiting Research Fellow)

> Paper. TBC 

Topic:   This project aims to critically examine the role of AI and Large Language models (LLMs) in the academic publishing ecosystem with a focus on the role of editors. It examines how African journal editors perceive the use of AI in academic publishing, but also how they address the challenges presented by AI in scholarly publishing, specifically in redefining their editorial authority and ethical policies. It finally analyzes how local limitations, including those tied to AI technologies and African languages representation, inform these responses. In this study, I will first conduct (virtual and in situ) interviews (16) with journal editors-in-chief, managing editors, and editorial board members from North Africa (Morocco and Egypt), East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), West Africa (Nigeria and Senegal), and Southern Africa (South Africa and Botswana). Secondly, I will also utilize data from the grey literature, focusing on AI and scholarly publishing in African contexts. The document analysis complements this by revealing the disconnect between formal policy frameworks and the evolving realities of editorial practice.

About the speaker:   Yousra Hamdaoui is a Visiting Research Fellow at HUMA and an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Social Sciences of Mohamedia at the University Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco. Her current research at HUMA focuses on the role of AI in scholarly publishing, particularly how editors perceive its impact on ethical policies, authority, and governance. She is interested in issues related to security, counter-terrorism, violent extremism, and soft power in the Sahel and North Africa. Yousra has conducted fieldwork in Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Senegal, and Morocco. Her post-doctoral fellowship at the Institute for Humanities in Africa (HUMA) at the University of Cape Town focused on scholarly publishing in Africa, particularly in North Africa and the Horn of Africa. She is also a Mellon/SAR Academic Freedom Fellow (2024-2025).


How Ataya works: One presenter and their work – in exchange with the audience. Each Ataya session engages with selected work by the presenter (a text, artwork, performance, even food). The presenter introduces their work and grounds the subsequent discussion with the participants. For best engagement, we recommend participants to view the work (made available in advance on our website) before the session. More on the Ataya Series