Doctoral Defence in Global Studies: Fatou N’dure Baboudóttir

Doctoral Defence: Fatou N’dure Baboudóttir will defend her doctoral dissertation in Global Studies at the University of Iceland on Thursday, 9 April 2026. The defence will begin at 13:00 and will take place in the Ceremonial Hall of the University of Iceland. The event is open to all.

Title of the dissertation: Manifestations of Inequality among Adolescents in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

Opponents: Morten Sodemann, Professor at the University of Southern Denmark, and Ragný Þóra Guðjohnsen, Associate Professor at the University of Iceland.

Supervisor: Geir Gunnlaugsson, Professor Emeritus at the University of Iceland.

Doctoral Committee: Inga Dóra Sigfúsdóttir, Professor of Sociology at Reykjavík University, and Margarida Gaspar de Matos, Professor of Global Health at the Catholic University of Lisbon.

Chair of the defence: Unnur Dís Skaptadóttir, Dean of the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics.

Abstract:

Fatou N’dure Baboudóttir’s doctoral dissertation examines manifestations of inequality in the lives of adolescents in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau. The study focuses on how social and economic circumstances shape adolescents’ everyday lives, their access to education, digital devices, and opportunities for participation in society. Particular emphasis is placed on the perspectives of the adolescents themselves and on how they experience inequality in daily life and respond to the challenges they face.

The dissertation is based on five published scientific articles and combines both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The findings show, among other things, significant disparities in adolescents’ access to education and digital media, and that social and economic factors, such as family circumstances and income, have a substantial impact on their opportunities. The study also shows that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted deep digital and social inequalities. Despite these challenges, the adolescents in the study demonstrate considerable resilience and initiative, and they themselves propose ways to improve their circumstances. The dissertation underscores the importance of taking young people’s perspectives and experiences seriously in the development of policies and measures relating to their welfare.