International Relations
Honouring Black histories, shaping Black futures
February 25, 2025
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From global politics to personal narratives, Dr.Bouka examines how Black women’s voices shape history.
History is more than a record of the past. It shapes how we understand power, identity, and global politics today. For Yolande Bouka (Political Studies), it is also a question of whose voices are heard and whose perspectives are overlooked, particularly when it comes to Black women. As a Canada Research Chair in Afrofeminist Thought and Political Transformation, her research challenges dominant narratives in international relations by examining the intersections of race, gender, and politics and highlighting the contributions of Black women from Africa and the Diaspora.
The Gazette spoke with Dr. Bouka about her research, the power of storytelling, and importance of creating space for Black scholarship.
What drew you to the field of international relations?
My interest in politics and international relations was shaped by my upbringing. My father was politically active in Togo, and my family’s experiences exposed me to the realities of power, governance, and activism. Certain historical moments also left a lasting impression on me. I vividly remember watching the fall of the Berlin Wall and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Even as a child, I understood these were defining moments, shaping my early awareness of international politics.
Later, the Rwandan genocide became another defining moment. Within the African Diaspora in Quebec, I saw families searching for news of their loved ones, which reinforced my understanding of how global events directly impact communities. Through these discussions I saw how women’s roles in security and politics were often overlooked or erased. That realization shaped the direction of my research as I began examining how Black women across Africa and the Diaspora have influenced political movements, state-building, and resistance struggles.
How does your research challenge dominant narratives in international relations?
International relations is often framed as a discipline that emerged from efforts to prevent war after the World Wars, largely through the perspectives of Western scholars. But this overlooks the deep entanglement of international politics with empire building and colonization, which shaped the field.
I want to challenge these narratives by examining the histories, perspectives, and intellectual contributions of Black women. While some describe my approach as decolonial or critical, I am intentional in how I use these terms, ensuring they remain rooted in the lived realities of the communities I study.
My work in security research helped shape this perspective. At a think tank in Nairobi, I focused on the Great Lakes region of Africa and gender in security, which deepened my understanding of how women engage with security institutions. Their experiences are often distinct from North American perspectives, yet share similarities in the way militarized institutions reinforce masculine norms.
Through projects on non-state armed groups in Namibia and Angola, as well as women's political participation in Kenya, I became more interested in how Black women across the world conceptualize their relationship with the state. This has led me to explore Afro-feminist thought and how it offers alternative visions of security, peace, and governance that go beyond traditional frameworks in international relations.
Dr. Bouka is creating space for Black scholars to thrive through community, mentorship, and research.
Storytelling is central to your research. Why is this approach so important to your work?
Personal narratives uncover layers of political violence and resistance that mainstream analyses often miss. By amplifying the voices of those who have been marginalized, we reclaim their place in history and reshape the future.
I first became interested in this topic through a conversation with a Namibian friend, who casually mentioned that the sound of a rattling recycling bin reminded her of when her convoy was attacked in Angola. I had known her for years but had never heard this story. She explained how her mother had fled Namibia as a teenager to join the armed struggle against South African occupation, a history that had shaped her entire life. Later in my career, I was able to document the stories of women who had physically fought in the conflict, helped build a new Namibia, and played a role in the larger movement that contributed to the end of apartheid.
These stories have the potential to empower future generations.
How does bringing these stories to light connect with your work in policy spaces like the United Nations and the African Union?
When I worked in policy spaces such as security think tanks, advising the African Union, or speaking at UN agencies, I used storytelling to add depth and context to decisions that are often based on abstract data. Whether that’s interviewing released prisoners from the Rwandan genocide, women politicians in Kenya who have faced political violence, or participants in rebellions and protests—this approach helped contextualize conflicts and political instabilities. Instead of relying solely on reports and broad policy statements, I could bring in the lived experiences of political dissidents, human rights activists, and security personnel.
In policy, numbers alone do not tell the full story. Grounded, first-hand narratives help policymakers grasp the motivations and realities behind conflicts. Decisions are more informed when they include not just distant data but also the voices of those directly impacted.
As Black History and Futures Month comes to a close, how does your research shape conversations about history, identity, and equity in Canada?
Black History and Futures Month is a time for reflection, but also for action. Institutions must do more than symbolic recognition and create spaces where Black voices can lead conversations about both the past and the future.
Beyond research, I’m committed to fostering a strong academic community. As a co-organizer of the I am actively involved in initiatives that create a community for Black faculty and students to connect and drive meaningful conversations. I am also a member of the Queen’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus, which serves as a vital space for Black scholars across disciplines to support one another.
Mentorship is an essential component to this. I’m currently supervising PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students, ensuring they have the support to thrive in academia. Creating a strong, supportive academic community is key to ensuring that Black scholars are valued and feel like they belong. These efforts shape conversations that extend far beyond the classroom and has the potential to influence policy, culture, and industry.
