Marie-Claire Bakker

Marie-Claire is an ethnographer with special interest in the material culture of the Middle East.

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She received her Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Ethnology & Museum Ethnography from the University of Oxford. She also has an MA in Arabic Language and Literature from Edinburgh University.  She consults as an area specialist in Material Culture of the region and has also worked in the fields of cross-cultural communication and maternal health counseling.

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Her academic research interests focus on tracing the dynamics of social change through dress and jewellery of the Arabian Peninsula. Marie-Claire is collaborating with culture sector stakeholders on course development and a pedagogical model in a pilot project aimed at introducing traditional Emirati craft skills as a core element in the art and design curriculum. Developing culturally responsive pedagogical models and decolonizing content and methodologies to increase engagement are at the core of her teaching practice. She is participating in several interdisciplinary research projects collaborating with artists, designers, psychologists and educators in combination with culture sector stakeholders.

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As Assistant Dean of Student Affairs she is responsible for the Pastoral Care and administration for 600+ students on the Abu Dhabi campus. She serves on several university and college level committees and is involved in institutional and college strategic planning.