The research you have conducted 

My summer research period has consisted of creating broad and comprehensive accounts of the stories of individuals from French North Africa who fought and were involved in the Internal French Resistance in the Greater Paris region. My research has resulted in the development of a series of podcasts which share the stories of the identified individuals with the public, in particular school students. This forms part of Professor Nina Wardleworth’s ongoing research into the identification of members of the French Internal Resistance and the examination of their stories. My project aims to change ideas about who took part in resistance action during the Second World War, in an effort to decolonise knowledge across society by diversifying and changing the way in which the War is commemorated. 

The first stage of my research took place in Paris. I had the opportunity to visit numerous places of relevance for my research, including the Musée National de l’histoire de l’immigration, the Musée de la Libération de Paris and Mont-Valérien. Here, I received a personal guided tour organised by the director of the memorial. I also attended a conference organised by Les Amis de la Fondation de la Résistance, where France24 journalist Stéphanie Trouillard was presenting her recent historical documentary. My visit allowed me to contextualise my research and develop insight into how the Resistance is viewed in France, as well as the current standing of colonial resistance fighters in French national thought and commemoration. 

Upon my return, I began in-depth research into the individuals I had selected as case-studies for my podcast series. Unfortunately, it was not possible to carry out archival research in the French military archives at La Service historique de la Défense due to unforeseen closures of the site. However, I was able to access all relevant archival information through photos that Professor Nina Wardleworth had taken on previous research trips. Using the resistance files of my selected individuals, I gathered information from their applications for military recognition, personal letters and documents on their involvement in specific internal resistance groups. I then cross-referenced this information with French state online databases, such as the Ministry of Defence’s Mémoire des Hommes and official written histories on the Second World War and North African immigration to France. This information enabled me to create comprehensive profiles for each individual resistance fighter, which would subsequently be used in the production of my podcast series.  

The next stage of the research project involved writing, recording and producing my podcast series. Each episode shares stories of different colonial resistance fighters from French North Africa in an accessible and educational manner. The series consists of episodes in French and English, designed to maximise engagement among a broad range of French and English-speaking audiences. As for the content of the podcasts, it explores how the different aspects of these individuals’ identities (race, religion, citizenship status, residence, political affiliations, employment etc.) shaped their experiences in the French internal resistance. Equally, the podcasts act as a commemorative tool for colonial populations who fought in the French Resistance by encouraging the remembrance of their contribution to it.  

How the research work you have been undertaking is impactful or important 

Through research and developments in the French national narrative about the Resistance, its commemoration is constantly changing. Yet, the stories and contribution of white men, born in the Metropole, continue to take precedence in collective memory about the Second World War. Certainly, there has been developments in the recognition of North African resistance fighters in recent times, such as the opening of the ‘La France libérée par son Empire ?’ exhibition at Mont-Valérien in 2023 and media representation of North-Africans during the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris. Nevertheless, a more inclusive and accurate account of the Resistance must continue to emerge, to continue the decolonisation of knowledge about this historical period and ensure widespread change regarding how the War is commemorated comes about.  

My research displays the distinctiveness of individual stories and contributions of North African resistance fighters throughout France. These are stories that played a significant part in the Resistance.  This is important because it allows colonial resistance fighters to receive an individual commemoration, alongside what is possible for them to receive within the social structures and groups they have experienced.   

Throughout my podcast series, I have tried to explain and expose the extensive impact of the institutional discrimination of French bureaucracy in the post-war years. It has significantly hindered access to the stories and voices of colonial populations in the French Resistance. Moreover, it has led to some stories being privileged over others, as a result of the inaccessibility of the French system for many colonial individuals. For example, when researching Antoine Meghzi’s story, I discovered that his voice is more accessible in comparison to others because he was born into an inter-racial family and his French mother was able to advocate for his recognition through her understanding of French systems. For others, linguistic barriers and insufficient contacts disadvantage them in the quest for commemoration.  My project is important and impactful as it considers the inconsistencies and drawbacks that exist within our understanding of this historical context and highlights the need for further, ongoing and educated research into the subject. 

Activities you’ve been involved in to disseminate your research, including but not limited to attending conferences, producing research posters, and promotion of the programme 

The content of my podcast series has been designed to be as accessible and engaging as possible for both French and English-speaking audiences. This enables the podcasts to be experienced by general and academic audiences, in order to maximise dissemination.  

I have particularly worked to disseminate my research among young people. In my initial discussions with Professor Nina Wardleworth, she explained to me that in better commemorating the stories of colonial populations in the French Resistance, many people would be able to see themselves and their roots in the history of the Resistance and the Second World War for the first time. I realised that it was vital to utilise this opportunity to change thought and knowledge among a generation of young people, showing them a concept of the Resistance which includes everyone. Subsequently, I have been in touch with contacts from my former school to offer them the podcast series and am in the process of contacting more schools across the country. Studying the occupation of France 1940-1944 is part of the A-level French curriculum, yet I know from experience that the colonial aspect of this period is little taught. I believe that there will be significant uptake from schools, as these podcasts are an opportunity for students to improve their historical knowledge and language proficiency. Additionally, I have engaged with two sixth-form students who were carrying out work experience with my supervisor. I set them some activities to do to engage with my research. For example, they created show notes for each episode podcast and gave me feedback on how I was communicating with my target audiences. This was beneficial for the initial promotion of the podcasts to young people and allowed me to improve my dissemination techniques.  

During my time in Paris at the beginning of my research period, I made several professional connections in the field. For example, I met with France24 history journalist Stéphanie Trouillard and the president of Les Amis de la Fondation de la Résistance to discuss my research. This allowed me to introduce my research to influential people and develop it with professional insight during its early stages. Furthermore, my work links to the commemorative work being undertaken at the Mont-Valérien memorial. One of my podcast subjects, Antoine Meghzi, was shot at Mont-Valérien for his resistance activity. His episode will be sent to the director of the memorial for them to utilise in their commemorative work. This is an incredible opportunity to officially disseminate my research to French audiences. 

What impact conducting research has had on you  

Conducting this research has had a profound impact on me, personally and professionally. I am ambitious to pursue a career in Welsh politics and international relations, and this project has allowed me to broaden my horizons outside of my discipline. The training I have received on conducting skilled research has shown me how to make informed, ethical and data-based decisions, as well as allowed me to engage in policy, policy development and societal issues. Thus, the project has given me an array of skills that I will be able to transfer to my future career.  

Having the opportunity to go abroad and carry out research in Paris has greatly impacted me, as I now have experience of immersing myself in cultures and contexts different from my own. Moreover, I feel more confident communicating professionally, which has consolidated my decision to work abroad in the future.  

Conducting research has also benefitted my university degree. My proficiency in French and my cultural awareness have improved as a result of working with official French documents, going to Paris and writing script in French. I am excited to demonstrate my improved language skills throughout my second year. 

It has been very rewarding to experience the academic field for the first time, as I have developed competencies in academic forms of communication. Additionally, the support I have been shown by my supervisor, Professor Nina Wardleworth, and the Laidlaw community, have transformed my confidence and ability to share and promote my ideas.  

What leadership skills you have gained from the research period 

Honing the skill of working independently has been a defining part of my leadership development this summer. Given that I chose my own hours and continued at my part-time job alongside conducting research, it was imperative to learn how to manage my time efficiently. Therefore, I created multiple different Microsoft OneNote notebooks for each element of my research and created an intricate timesheet and schedule to keep myself accountable and boost my productivity. This sustained my motivation to achieve the best output as it allowed me to find an effective work-life balance. It confirmed to me that it is an essential leadership attribute to know how to prioritise tasks and simultaneously one’s own wellbeing. Furthermore, the responsibility I was given to independently complete this research to a high standard forced me to develop the leadership skills of assertiveness and resilience. I had to create opportunities to develop my research myself. For example, I contacted French partners to discuss my research and broaden my knowledge, which was at times difficult as I am still learning French. Yet I continuously confronted imposter syndrome and tried to be as confident as possible to develop my language and research competence.  

The organisational structure I adhered to benefitted my research and output as it allowed me to maintain consistency. However, after reflecting on my Quintax report, I realised that my preference for detailed structure could also be to my detriment within certain situations and contexts, particularly when reacting with my strong emotional involvement in tasks. For example, after learning that I would not be able to access the military archives in Paris, I developed a negative mindset as I was concerned about the impact this would have on my project. I worked to overcome this by discussing my concerns and finding reasonable solutions, thus improving my ability to respond correctly and rationally to events.  I have learnt that self-awareness is a very desirable trait in a leader, as it allows you to consider how your emotions will affect a project and those around you.  

What your future career, educational plans or continued research plans are 

I now have a very clear of my future career and educational plans, not least because the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme has equipped me with crucial skills for my employability.  

I will spend half of my 2026 year abroad as an intern at Mont-Valérien in Paris, as part of a team within the Ministry of Defence’s National Office of Veterans. Here, I will be able to further my interest in War commemoration as well as gain experience of working in French government. I believe that developing a first-hand understanding of French systems and bureaucracy will set me apart in future applications to work in government/diplomacy and be a stepping stone into my future career.  

In relation to this, I would now like to utilise my skills of working in the interests of marginalised communities closer to home, in Wales. Therefore, I have plans to shadow my local member of Senedd and gain experience of policy development and working for the good of the community.