Department of Islam, Politics and Society. Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious studies
As associate professor at Islam, Politics and Society, de Koning works on the intersection of race, religion and mobility; a theme that cuts across his teaching, research and societal impact work. The role of digitalization is not a specific focus but is interwoven with this particular theme and how he approaches it. Additionally, he is a member of the Runomi steering group, contributing to the network’s strategic direction and initiatives.
What is your research about?
In my anthropological research I have two themes that are relevant within RUNOMI. First of all, I look at how Dutch Muslims engage with the state’s surveillance of Muslims in particular when this surveillance is revealed through ‘revealing encounters’ for example at border crossings (at airports for example) when someone is stopped and placed into detention because his/her name appears to be on national and international watchlists. Secondly, I work with Dutch Muslims who have migrated to the UK, Morocco or other countries outside the EU and how they construct their identities, lifestyles and memories. In both projects digitalization is part and parcel of the project; both in the methodology as the content of the conversations and observations.
What inspires / inspired you in these projects?
One of the things I’m interested in, partly as a reason for both projects but also as one of the results, is how people see and experience and dream the future. What does an ideal future look like for them and for their children? But also in relation to how to do research with Muslims differently: how can the future be theme to do research otherwise.
Are you involved in other RUNOMI backed/related projects? (e.g. teaching, community outreach)?
Migration, surveillance and digitalization are themes that come back in the course of Islam, Politics and Society and also in my societal work with organizations such as Meld Islamofobie Foundation and Muslim Rights Watch Netherlands (MRWN).
What concrete output have you been working on and what are you working on now?
On the topic of surveillance with specific attention to the role of digital surveillance, Surveillance Series – CLOSER.
With colleagues at Islam, Politics and Society and Religious Studies we organized the international conference Religion in Motion – Between Borders and Belonging. Here colleagues from various disciplines and working with different religious traditions and forms of religiosity explored questions such as: How is mobility an integral part of religious traditions? How does religion inform experiences of belonging in migratory contexts? How do (digitalized) political, geographical, cultural, and religious borders shape people’s lives? Their visions of the past and the future? Their experiences of home and belonging? Their aspirations and imaginations of destiny?
Currently working on: “Travelling while Muslim – Revealing encounters and online and offline talking back by racialized Muslims citizens”