Profile
I am an assistant-professor of cross-border diaspora and bicultural philanthropy, and humanitarian leadership. I am affiliated with the Zakat Foundation Institute, USA, the Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands), and Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah & Sayid Ali Rahmatullah
Jakarta & Tuluggagung, Indonesia. My research focuses on how diaspora communities, migrants, refugees, and bicultural individuals engage in nonprofit organisations, philanthropy, volunteering, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarian action across borders. I examine the transfer of knowledge, resources, money, values, and social capital between the Global North and the Global South, as well as South-South cooperation. Central themes in my work include humanitarian leadership, belonging, philanthropy, nonprofit, identity, intergenerational traditions, activism, decolonization, and the role of diaspora communities in responding to social, economic, and humanitarian challenges.
In addition to my academic work, I am the founder and owner of Diaspora Impact Lab, an independent research and advisory platform dedicated to strengthening the contribution of diaspora communities to sustainable development, philanthropy, humanitarian action, and social innovation. Through Diaspora Impact Lab, I conduct research, develop partnerships, provide strategic advice, and facilitate knowledge exchange between diaspora communities, governments, nonprofits, academic institutions, and international organizations. The Lab aims to bridge perspectives from the Global North and Global South and to elevate diaspora voices in policy, development, and sustainability debates.
I teach and supervise students in the fields of Humanitarian Leadership Practices, Humanitarian Justice and Ethics, Global Humanitarianism, Diaspora Nonprofits, Diaspora Philanthropy and Volunteering, Diaspora Engagement, Migration and Development, and Decolonization in Civil Society Organizations. My teaching and research seek to advance a more inclusive understanding of philanthropy, leadership, and social change by highlighting the experiences, agency, and impact of diaspora communities worldwide.
Publications
Article (9)
Academic (9)
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Ouacha, M., Rama, A., Anggraeni, R. T., & Rohadatul , D. A. (2026). Zakat as a counter-cyclical welfare instrument: macro-economic evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-12-2025-0972
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Ouacha, M., Isański, J., Kozak, J., & Dyczewski, B. A. (2026). “The More One Believes, the Better One Belongs?”—Religiosity as Part of Diasporic and Migrant Integration. Religions, 17(3), Article 367. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17030367
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Kozak, J., Isański, J., Dyczewski, B., di Maggio, A., & Ouacha, M. (2025). Third Demographic Transition, Religion, Migrations and Economy: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Semantic Context. Religions, 16(8), Article 1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16081015
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Ouacha, M., Meijs, L., & Biekart, K. (2024). Diasporic Philanthropy and the Sense of Belonging as an Expression of Diasporic Cultural Identity and Inclusion. Voluntas, 35(6), 1081-1090. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-024-00674-3
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Ouacha, M. (2023). (Be)longing to the village: how the earthquake in Morocco reveals the importance of the homeland in diaspora identity. DevISSues, Oktober 2023. https://www.devissues.nl/belonging-village-how-earthquake-morocco-reveals-importance-homeland-diaspora-identity
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Ouacha, M., & Meijs, L. (2021). Cross-border Philanthropy in the Islamic World: From Western Europe to the Middle East (MENA). Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, 5(2).
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Ouacha, M. (2021). Diasporic volunteering in cross-national perspective:is faith-based more effective than secular philanthropy? A case of the Netherlands and Morocco. Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, 5(2), 114-139.
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Ouacha, M., & Meijs, L. C. P. M. (2021). Cross-border Philanthropy in the Islamic World: from Western Europe to the Middle East (MENA): an introduction. Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, 5(2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356904286_Cross-Border_Philanthropy_in_the_Islamic_World_from_Western-Europe_to_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa_MENA_an_introduction
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Ouacha, M., & Meijs, L. C. P. M. (2021). INTRODUCTION 0F. Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society, 5(2), 3-20.
Book/Film/Article review (2)
Popular (1)
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Ouacha, M. (2024). Film Review. The Football Aficionado. Directed by Sharmin Mojtahedzadeh and Paliz Khoshdel. Urbanities, 14(2). https://www.anthrojournal-urbanities.com/vol-14-no-2-november-2024/
Professional (1)
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Ouacha, M. (2023). Claudia Bernardi et al. (eds), Moving Workers. Historical Perspectives on Labour, Coercion and Im/Mobilities. [Work in Global and Historical Perspective, Vol. 19] (Berlin: De Gruyter, 2023?) 267 pp. ISBN 9783111136516. Tijdschrift voor Sociale en Economische Geschiedenis, 21(2), 181-184. https://doi.org/10.52024/p3de5h19
Chapter (3)
Academic (3)
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Ouacha, M. (2025). Diaspora Nonprofits in an Islamic (faith-based) Nation State: an empirical case study on Morocco. In M. Rudvin, & D. E. G. (Eds.), Mediterranean Dialogues on Migration Palermo University Press.
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van Overbeeke, P., & Ouacha, M. (2022). The value of diasporic cross-border philanthropy and voluntourism. In K. Biekart, & A. Fowler (Eds.), A Research Agenda for Civil Society (pp. 173-187). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800378155.00021
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Ouacha, M. (2022). Trabalho de Campo e Questões de Gênero: diálogos entre o Norte e o Sul Global - Ethnographic fieldwork and gender issues: dialogues between the Global North and Global South. In Lugares de fala: direitos, diversidades, afetos (Places of speech: rights, diversity and affects). https://doi.org/10.31560/pimentacultural/2023.96375
Doctoral Thesis (1)
Internal (1)
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Ouacha, M. (2024). Receiving by giving: The examining of cross-border diasporic and bi-cultural philanthropy. [Doctoral Thesis, Erasmus University Rotterdam]. Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR).
Other contribution (2)
Popular (2)
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Ouacha, M. (2025, Oct 23). Diaspora-filantropie en de zoektocht naar identiteit, spiritualiteit en verbondenheid. NOV. https://www.vrijwilligerswerk.nl/themas/wetenschap/wetenschap+-+blogs+en+nieuws/3139431.aspx?t=Tussen-Twee-Werelden-Diaspora-filantropie-en-de-zoektocht-naar-identiteit-spiritualiteit--en-verbo
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Ouacha, M. (2025, Oct 23). Tussen Twee Werelden: Diaspora-filantropie en de zoektocht naar identiteit, spiritualiteit en verbondenheid.
Preprint (1)
Academic (1)
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Ouacha, M., & Isanski, J. (2026). The Integration Challenges in the Educational Context – A Comparative Perspective of the Refugees in Poland and in the Netherlands. (1 ed.) (pp. 71-90). Demographic Research Centre. https://doi.org/10.59954/stnv.764
Review article (1)
Academic (1)
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Ouacha, M. (2023). Book review: Şebnem Eroğlu. Poverty and International Migration. A Multi-Site and Intergenerational Perspective. International Review of Social History, 68(2), 328 - 331. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020859023000275
Special issue (editing) (2)
Academic (2)
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Ouacha, M. (2027). Building and Maintaining Diaspora Communities. Genealogy. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/genealogy/special_issues/ncnv1c5cyh
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Ouacha, M., Isanski, J., Kozak, J., & Dyczewski, B. (2025). Special Issue: Searching for a Better Life with my Community: migratory trends in religious-based social networks. Religions, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030282
Working paper (2)
Academic (2)
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Ouacha, M., & Wieriks, R. H. Y. (2025). De paradox in de duurzaamheidsregelgeving - gelden de SDGs echt voor iedereen? De rol van diaspora in de implementatie van de SDGs in het Globale Zuiden. Advance online publication.
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Ouacha, M., Biekart, K., & Meijs, L. C. P. M. (2025). Cross-border philanthropy as a coping-strategy for xenophobia: diaspora’s search for a sense of belonging in the homeland.
Activities
Additional positions (3)
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Centrum van Filantropie VU AmsterdamStart date approval: 19 Feb 2024End date approval: 18 Feb 2027Place: AMSTERDAMDescription: Lecture on Diaspora philanthropy
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SIT Study AbroadStart date approval: 25 Jun 2025End date approval: 24 Jun 2028Place: VANCOUVER, CANADADescription: Guest-lecturer on Diaspora Nonprofit Management.
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Zakat Foundation Insitute, IU, USAStart date approval: 01 Jul 2025End date approval: 24 Jun 2028Place: INDIANAPOLIS, USADescription: Adjunct-Ass. Professor Hum. Practices & Leadership
Additional activities (10)
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Chairperson of the Board Expertise Centre Humanitarian Communication (HuCom)Malika Ouacha (Other)01 Jan 2025
Activity: Other activity > Other (Professional)
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Expertise Centre Humanitarian Communication (External organisation)Malika Ouacha (Chair)01 Jan 2025
Activity: Other activity > Membership of board (Academic)
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Zakat Foundation Institute, Lily School of Philanthropy, Indianapolis UniversityMalika Ouacha (Visiting lecturer)01 Jan 2025
Activity: Visit other > Visiting an external academic institution (Academic)
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UIN Syarif Hidayatullah JakartaMalika Ouacha (Visiting researcher)01 Jan 2025
Activity: Visit other > Visiting an external academic institution (Academic)
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University of PennsylvaniaMalika Ouacha (Visiting researcher)01 Oct 2024 - 01 Dec 2024
Activity: Visit other > Visiting an external academic institution (Academic)
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Ethnograpic Incubator @EURMalika Ouacha (Chair)27 Jun 2024
Activity: Attendance > Organising and contributing to an event (Academic)
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Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations (Journal)Malika Ouacha (Reviewer)01 Jan 2024
Activity: Editorial work (Academic)
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Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (Journal)Malika Ouacha (Reviewer)01 Jan 2024
Activity: Editorial work (Academic)
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ARNOVAs common interest group "Diaspora & Bi-cultural Philanthropy" (External organisation)Malika Ouacha (Chair)01 Jan 2024
Activity: Other activity > Membership of committee (Academic)
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Eramus+ Project “Museums and Restoration Volunteering for Inclusion” (MARVI) (co-funded by the EU) (External organisation)Malika Ouacha (Chair)01 Jan 2024
Activity: Other activity > Membership of board (Academic)
Award
- New Emerging Scholar Award (2023)
Courses
Past courses
Professional Development II
- Study year: 2024/2025
- Code: BT2204
Professional Development II
- Study year: 2023/2024
- Code: BK2204
Featured in the media
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Uit vrije will
In this episode, Pietro searches for an answer to the question: why would you even volunteer these days? ... Finally, researcher Malika Ouacha observes that there are still many young people who volunteer, but they simply fall…
Wednesday, 11 February 2026 -
Het belang van de term 'Afropean'
The term 'Afropean' is gaining more and more traction. But what does it mean and why is such a term important? We discuss this with anthropologist Malika Ouacha. Reporter Timothy Toto also visits student association ASAH in…
Sunday, 8 February 2026 -
Volunteering across borders
Researcher Dr Malika Ouacha talks about pitfalls in the exchange of culture and knowledge through volunteering in this article from the Association of Dutch Volunteer Organizations (NOV). (in Dutch) …
Tuesday, 27 August 2024 -
Dutch people with Moroccan roots give generously to the region of origin of their parents or grandparents
Dutch people with Moroccan roots give generously to the region of origin of their parents or grandparents. Malika Ouacha received her PhD yesterday on what that means for people living in the Netherlands and people in Morocco. …
Friday, 9 February 2024 -
Dutch people with Moroccan roots give generously to the region of origin of their parents or grandparents
Dutch people with Moroccan roots donate generously to their parents' or grandparents' region of origin. Malika Ouacha received her doctorate yesterday for her dissertation on what this means for people living in the Netherlands…
Friday, 9 February 2024 -
PhD candidate Malika Ouacha: 'Get a real understanding of diaspora groups'
Malika Ouacha will receive her PhD in 2023 for her dissertation on cross-border philanthropy, which is carried out by diaspora groups and bicultural philanthropists in the Netherlands, in their countries of origin. She will share…
Tuesday, 13 December 2022 -
Cross-Border Philanthropy in the Islamic World: From Europe to North Africa and the Middle East (MENA)
Post-doc researcher Malika Ouacha and Prof. Lucas Meijs guest-edited this special issue of the Journal of Muslim Philanthropy & Civil Society.
Wednesday, 1 December 2021 -
Cross-Border Philanthropy in the Islamic World: From Europe to North Africa and the Middle East (MENA)
Prof. Lucas Meijs and PhD candidate Malika Ouacha are guest editors for this issue of the Journal of Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society.
Wednesday, 1 December 2021 -
Cross-Border Philanthropy in the Islamic World: From Europe to North Africa and the Middle East (MENA
Malika Ouacha and Lucas Meijs wrote the introduction to this special issue of the publication.
Wednesday, 1 December 2021 -
The tradition and beauty of Amazigh facial tattoos explained
Interview with anthropologist Malika Ouacha and illustrator Samira Imaankaf who explain the history of Amazigh women's tradition facial tattoos
Monday, 7 June 2021
