Dr Leon Moosavi

Personal Statement

Dr Leon Moosavi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool.

Leon joined the University of Liverpool in 2012 and was the Director of the University of Liverpool in Singapore between 2014 and 2022.

Leon's research expertise relates to:

- The sociology of race, ethnicity and migration
- The sociology of religion
- Coloniality/decoloniality

Leon has been invited to talk about these themes in many countries, he has advised a number of governments and civil society organisations on these topics, and he has frequently featured in television, radio and print journalism to discuss these issues.

Leon completed his PhD in the Sociology Department of Lancaster University in 2011. His thesis was entitled: "Defying Gravity: Islamophobia, Belonging and ‘Race’ in the Experiences of Muslim Converts in Britain".

Leon sits on 6 editorial boards, including: the Reviewer College of the International Journal of Social Research Methodology and the Editorial Board of Sociology Compass.

Since joining the University of Liverpool, Leon has taught on modules relating to: social theory; criminological theory; race and ethnicity; radicalisation and terrorism; public policy; research methods and practice; transnational crime; and high risk and serious offenders.

Leon is willing to supervise PhD projects that relate to the following areas:

- Post-colonialism
- Coloniality and neo-colonialism
- Decolonisation and decoloniality
- Racism and racialisation
- Islamophobia
- Critical Whiteness Studies
- Mixed Race Studies
- Orientalism
- Muslims in the West
- Conversion to Islam
- Religious sectarianism
- Interfaith dialogue
- Social theory

Leon is currently supervising the following PhD students:

- Ms Saleena Saleem (working title: "Trust in Polarised Plural Societies: Intersections Across the Ideological Divides of Women’s Groups in Malaysia") - co-supervised with Dr Karen Evans

- Ms Imane Ghezal (working title: "Tracing the Lived Experiences of Niqabi Women in Algeria") - co-supervised with Dr Diane Frost and Dr Mohammed Ilyas

- Mr Mohammad Masud Noruzi (working title: "Postcolonial Sociological Theories of Ali Shariati in the Postmodern World") - co-supervised with Dr Levi Gahman

In 2021, Leon founded The Decolonial Critique, a global network of more than 1,800 scholars and activists who have an interest in theoretical and applied approaches to coloniality/decoloniality within and beyond the university. This includes a focus on decolonising various aspects of academia, such as: research methods; citation practices; pedagogy; curricula; institutional hierarchies; and other related areas. The network recognises that there are a number of contested approaches to understanding coloniality/decoloniality and welcomes diverse perspectives. The network does not only focus on the harms of colonialism and neo-colonialism, but also on the potential harms of purported efforts to decolonise. The purpose of the network is to: discuss topics relating to coloniality/decoloniality; coordinate online and in-person events; facilitate collaboration; share research resources; share teaching materials; and nurture a supportive and inclusive community. Those who would like to join the network can sign-up here: The Decolonial Critique

Some of Leon's most notable publications are:

Moosavi, L. (2020). The Decolonial Bandwagon and the Dangers of Intellectual Decolonisation. International Review of Sociology. 30 (2): pp. 332-354.

Moosavi, L. (2019). A Friendly Critique of ‘Asian Criminology’ and 'Southern Criminology’. The British Journal of Criminology. 59 (2): pp. 257-275.

Moosavi, L. (2019). Decolonising Criminology: Syed Hussein Alatas on Crimes of the Powerful. Critical Criminology. 27 (2): pp. 229-242.

Moosavi, L. (2015). The Racialization of Muslim Converts in Britain and Their Experiences of Islamophobia. Critical Sociology. 41 (1): pp. 41-56.

Moosavi, L. (2012). British Muslim Converts Performing ‘Authentic Muslimness’. Performing Islam. 1 (1): pp. 103-128.