Professor Samina Yasmeen, a Pakistani-Australian, joined UWA in 1988. She is a specialist in political, and strategic developments in South Asia (particularly Pakistan), the role of Islam in world politics, and citizenship among immigrant women. She established the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at UWA in 2005 at a time of heightened misinformation about Muslims and Islam, largely informed by concerns about terrorism. The Centre is now widely recognised by political leaders, influential policy makers and thinktanks for its research, thought leaderships and community engagement.
She is the author of more than 100 publications including Jihad and Dawah: Evolving Narratives of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat ud Dawah (Hurst, 2017), and Understanding Muslim Identities: From Perceived Relative Exclusion to Inclusion (2008).
Professor Yasmeen has served on Multiple Ministerial Councils on Immigration, multiculturalism, and strategic defence and security policies. She was awarded the 2011 WA Citizenship Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award; inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame on 8 March 2012; and was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs in November 2012. She received the Award of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2014.
Most important experiences while at UWA
Seeking and sharing knowledge for me is sacred. The University provided me the opportunity to go on this road with enthusiastic and energetic students, being mentored by Professor Alan Robson AO CitWA, supportive colleagues across disciplines, and to engage with government agencies in the policy making space where I could share my knowledge to improve lives. And, to top it all, I met the love of my life, Emeritus Professor James Trevelyan, in Love House while attending a workshop on intercultural postgraduate supervision.
Where did you think you would end up, when you began your career?
Even as a little girl, I wanted to do a PhD and teach, except for a brief period when I wanted to be the President of Pakistan! A commitment to objectivity, openness to new ideas and sharing them with others has guided me in my academic career. These goals have not changed. They are not framed by a rigid reading of world politics. Instead, I search for the implications for all our lives at grassroots level.
What are some of your most significant achievements?
‘Decolonizing’ the discipline of International Relations before it became a buzz word: I introduced the study of religion in world politics and its impact on societies. This enabled me to establish the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at UWA — the first of its kind in WA. My research has contributed to social cohesion, and building understanding and kindness across religious, cultural and ethnic boundaries in our community. My books and papers continue to
contribute to greater understanding between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers. Being awarded the Order of Australia and serving on multiple Ministerial Councils has been a dream come true.
What has been the most interesting aspect of your career?
I have loved every aspect of my career: teaching, research, community engagement. It is an honour that I thank God for. I have some detractors, but my supporters have greatly outnumbered them and sustained my faith in humanity and academia.
Where are you planning to go from here? Are there new interests you are looking to get involved in?
I will continue to lead the Centre for Muslim States and Societies to write books, conduct research on children and social cohesion, experiences of immigrant Muslim women, and mentor new leaders in the field. I want to collate the historically significant letters written to my beloved mother, Begum Sarfraz Iqbal (1939-2003), care for my elderly father Malik Iqbal, boss my husband and plant native trees with him, … and finally learn to use the knitting machine sitting in the living room for 20 years.