Dr. Irina Randriamiadana holds a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from UNC Chapel Hill, a Master’s degree in French and Francophone Studies from North Carolina State University, and a Maîtrise in law from the University of Clermont-Ferrand.
Born in Madagascar and raised in France, Dr. Randriamiadana’s multicultural background informs her research, which focuses on Afropean, Beur, Polynesian, and Caribbean literature, film, and music. Her scholarly work addresses French colonial history and the experiences of Black and Muslim populations in contemporary France. Dr. Randriamiadana is particularly interested in the representation of “The New Natives of the French Republic” through sensory and decolonial analysis, examining how these groups challenge and reshape perceptions of France’s identity.
She has taught at East Carolina University and at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to her academic contributions, Dr. Randriamiadana is a recipient of the Excellence in Classroom Teaching Award from the Graduate School of North Carolina State University for her commitment to mentoring and teaching excellence.