PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 2, 2021) – Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Assistant Professor of Justice Studies Nabil Ouassini, Ph.D., has been awarded a fellowship from the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). The fellowship, awarded annually to only four scholars at colleges and universities across the U.S., will allow Ouassini to travel to India to further his research on poverty and law enforcement in the country.

“I’m honored to receive a fellowship from AIIS,” said Ouassini. “The organization has a strong history of supporting scholars as they pursue their research, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to travel to India to continue my areas of study.”

Founded in 1961 by a group of American scholars involved in programs of Indian studies at leading American universities, AIIS works to advance the knowledge of India in the United States by supporting American scholarship about the country. To fulfill its mission, AIIS awards fellowships to scholars, professionals and artists from all disciplines who wish to conduct research or focus on artistic projects in India.

Over the years, Ouassini’s teaching has focused on juvenile justice, police systems and practices, terrorism and homeland security. His research centers on comparative criminal justice, criminal justice reform, as well as crime and criminal justice in the Arab world. As an AIIS fellowship recipient, Ouassini will carry out additional work on his most recent research project, Slums and Law Enforcement in India.

“The upcoming research project is important in understanding the perceptions and experiences of law enforcement practices in other global contexts. This is particularly essential in the current global justice reform movements that sprang after international protests for George Floyd,” said Ouassini. “The research in India will examine Dalit or lower caste/class (residents of slums) and their perceptions and experiences with law enforcement. The study will also analyze the structural and systemic discrimination against the residents in these areas. I hope that in my research, I can gain nuanced, first-hand perceptions and experiences. Through my interviews and conversations, I want to provide insights into the lived experiences of these residents, understanding how the residents derive meaning from their interactions, and how these interactions influence their behavior.”

Working at PVAMU since 2018, Ouassini’s research has been published in numerous academic journals, including The British Journal of Criminology and the Journal of Asian and African Studies. Earlier this year, he received a highly competitive Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) Award. The award allowed him to participate in an intensive capacity building and curriculum development program in India from December to January. Based in New Delhi, he visited Jaipur and Lucknow to understand how environmental pressures, social, cultural and economic factors impact aspects of life in India. These points will eventually be incorporated into parts of the criminal justice and juvenile justice curricula at PVAMU.

“We are proud of the work Ouassini has accomplished over the years and are grateful for his contributions to the field,” said Camille Gibson, Ph.D., interim dean of PVAMU’s College of Juvenile Justice. “We look forward to the experiences he will gain in India and the expertise he will bring back to our program.”

Ouassini’s latest project with AIIS is expected to be carried out through 2022.

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