Zainab (she/her) is a media and communication scholar and enthusiast whose childhood experiences growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, fueled her fascination with studying media and its effect on people and the society at large. Before coming to UO, she completed her master's in digital media at the University of Sussex, where her thesis explored the significance of films in contemporary debates about surveillance and privacy. She also holds a bachelor's in mass communication from Babcock University.

Currently, Zainab’s research focuses on media representation and media effects, with specific interest in examining how media portrayal of minority racial groups—specifically Black Africans and the African Diaspora—shapes cultural narratives and how these narratives affect intra- and inter-racial dynamics. She is interested in understanding how these media representations influence the self-perception of individuals within these racial groups, how they negotiate their racial and cultural identities, and how they interact with both members of their own communities and those outside their cultural groups. Her research aims to explore the broader cultural and sociological implications of media narratives on social cohesion, power dynamics, and global cultural understanding. Outside of academia, Zainab is an ardent film lover and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family.