New Staff Spotlight: Hanane Idihoum

We couldn’t be more excited to introduce a new team member in a new role here at Research in Action: Special Events and Grants Manager. Join us in welcoming Hanane Idihoum—and learn more about her below!

What is your passion for equity and justice in the community?

Throughout my academic and professional work, I have been drawn to work that questions whose knowledge is valued and whose voices are heard. I am most energized by projects that bridge research and action, making knowledge more accessible while creating opportunities for communities to shape the decisions that affect their lives.

What connects you personally to the work of racial justice?

I am originally from Morocco, and my academic and professional experiences have taken me across different countries, institutions, and communities. Those experiences have taught me to be attentive to both the perspectives I bring and the assumptions I carry. I don't see positionality as a destination, but as an ongoing practice of questioning my own perspective and remaining open to being challenged. That mindset shapes how I approach my work and my commitment to racial justice.

What would you like to share about your educational and professional background?

I hold a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology and Race & Ethnic Studies from St. Olaf College and an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University. Throughout my academic and professional career, I have worked across nonprofit organizations, higher education, and community-engaged research, with experience spanning grants, communications, event planning, mixed-methods research, and multimedia storytelling. My work has focused on building partnerships, translating complex ideas into accessible forms, and supporting initiatives that connect research, policy, and community engagement.

How will you apply your skills and passion to your RIA work?

I see grants and events as more than administrative work. They are opportunities to build relationships, strengthen community partnerships, and create spaces where people can learn from one another, collaborate, and move ideas into action. I am excited to bring relationship-building, strategic communication, and project management skills to my role at RIA. I look forward to contributing my experience in grant writing, event planning, and storytelling to help strengthen RIA's partnerships and mission.

What are you excited about most about your job at RIA?

I am excited to cultivate partnerships through grants, fundraising, and special events while connecting with organizations across the Twin Cities that are working toward more just and equitable communities.