African Studies Program

Maggie Fitzgerald entered the African History Ph.D. program in the fall of 2018. Originally from Medway, Massachusetts, she holds a B.A. from Roanoke College in History and Secondary Education, where she graduated summa cum laude with Honors. Maggie studies the intellectual and cultural history of southern Africa. She is particularly interested in cultural production, black consciousness, and political resistance in Durban, South Africa. Her dissertation research focuses on the history of an arts and literary magazine titled Staffrider and incorporates oral history. Maggie’s research makes a vital intervention in the historiography of “struggle” by untangling intellectual projects and cultural forms of expression in Durban from the dominant dialogue of labor strikes and organized resistance. Maggie additionally has work experience teaching both history and isiZulu and has held a position as editorial assistant at the American Historical Review.