Ottis Mubaiwa

• Qualifications: BA (Hons) International Development Studies, Master of Research (MRes) in Politics and International Relations, PhD (University of Portsmouth)
• Role Title: Teaching Fellow
• Address: Milldam, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 3AS
• Telephone: ‌023 9284 2213
• Email: [email protected]
• Department: School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature. 
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

I conduct research in the field of international development and have a particular interest in harmful cultural practices such as Bride Price, Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage. My PhD research explored why bride price continues and compared and contrasted how it was observed across three contexts; rural Zimbabwe, urban Harare and in the diaspora of Birmingham. The aim was to ascertain if changes have occurred in how and why it is practiced but also consider if any changes reflect shifts in family structures and the respective roles of married men and women.

There are little documented studies to provide reasons for the continuation of the practice or that seek to understand wider shifts in marriage patterns and gendered expectations. My decision for focusing on bride price was because it represents a vehicle into understanding and exploring changes in patterns of gender relations within family structures and more widely across society. This of course involves looking at the shifting make up of families across the settings of this study as well as probing the ways in which bride price is observed.  

DISCIPLINE AREAS

• International Development 
• Anthropology
• Southern Africa Area Studies

RESEARCH CLUSTERS

• International Development Studies and Security Issues (IDSSC)
• Women’s and Gender Studies

PAST RESEARCH PROJECT(S)

My previous research critically explored the implications that the security discourse has had on the expression of change-agency among Muslim women in relation to Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage in the UK. The project article brought together interviews with a number of Imams based in Pakistani and Somali dominated mosques in Birmingham. It also presented the views of a sample of Muslim men and female Muslim activists.