Education
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A. (African Area Studies), M.A. (Political Science), and Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Biography
Susanna received her B.A in International Relations and French from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, a M.A from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in African Area Studies, and a PhD from UCLA in Political Science. She is author of the award-winning book, "Constructing Democracy in Transitioning Societies of Africa" that was published in paperback in 2010 as "Constructing Democracy in Africa: Mali in Transition." Her work has appeared in Polity, Journal of Modern African Studies, Democratization, Foreign Affairs, and African Affairs as well as in various edited volumes. Wing has worked as a consultant for the World Bank, USAID, and Freedom House and frequently serves as an expert on women's rights for asylum cases.
Research
She has researched and published in a variety of different areas. One general theme of her research is constitutionalism, legal reform, and the judiciary. Here, her work has evolved from a focus on democracy and constitutionalism to the interaction of individuals with the formal judicial sector. A second theme is military intervention and security. While gender is integral to both themes, it is more present in Wing's work on justice and accessing human rights. Her recent monograph, Governance and Intervention in Mali: Elusive Security is forthcoming in 2024 from Routledge Press.
Her research and teaching interests include comparative politics, Islam and politics, development, women's rights and Africa. She has conducted field work in Mali, Niger, Benin and Nigeria.
Constructing Democracy in Africa Link to eBook
My Links
- “Coups d’état, Political Legitimacy, and Instability in Mali.” Africa Today 70.1 (Fall 2023):
75-100. Haverford College link - With Alice J. Kang. "Litigating socio-economic and women’s rights in Benin’s constitutional court." African Affairs, Volume 120.478 (January 2021): 57–77, https://doi-org.ezproxy.haverford.edu/10.1093/afraf/adaa031
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“French Intervention in Mali: Strategic alliances, long-term regional presence?” Small Wars &
Insurgencies 27.1 (2016): 59-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592318.2016.1123433 - ‘Hands off my constitution’: Constitutional reform and the workings of democracy in Mali. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 53.3 (2015): 451-475. doi:10.1017/S0022278X15000415
- “Another Coup in Mali? Here’s what you need to know.” May 28, 2021. Monkey Cage in The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/28/another-coup-mali-heres-what-you-need-know/
- “Malians have been protesting for weeks: Here’s what you need to know.” July 20, 2020, Monkey Cage in The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/20/malians-have-been-protesting-weeks-heres-what-you-need-know/
- USIP Special Report
Mali's Precarious Democracy and the Causes of Conflict - African Affairs
Briefing Mali: The Politics of a Crisis - Foreign Affairs
Making Sense of Mali - Foreign Affairs
The Coup in Mali is Only the Beginning - NPR Interview
Interview January 14, 2013 with WBEZ Chicago, The World View - IPRIS Viewpoints No. 107 August 2012
Building a Durable Peace on Mali - NPR Interview
Interview about Mali on NPR WBEZ Chicago, The World View, December 14, 2012 - NPR Interview
Interview about Mali on NPR WBEZ Chicago, The World View, May 4, 2012 - BBC Interview
Interview about Malian coup on BBC The World Today (5/1/12). - RFI Interview
Interview about Mali on Radio France International April 26, 2012 - BBC Interview
Interview about Malian coup on BBC The World Today (3/23/12). Mali segment begins at 5:00 into clip - USAID Decentralization in Africa
Decentralization in Africa includes Mali Desk Study