Student story: Kuln’Zu Fred Zucule

The journey so far

I am an MSc student in African Studies at Oriel College. I grew up in Mozambique on Avenida Julius Nyerere in Maputo, one of the busiest streets in the city, and also in Kilimani, a neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya. I attained my Bachelors of Arts in Africana Studies at Pomona College in California, USA.  As a queer African, my journey has been deeply shaped by movement and exposure to various cultures, sparking my interest in how queer diasporas articulate and represent themselves. I am fortunate to be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, which has both enabled my studies at Oxford and been an important support and community network.

What has your time at Oxford been like?

Oxford has been an adjustment after 2 years of being a fine art photographer, the shift to academia was surprising at first. But I’ve come to deeply appreciate the unexpected intellectual moments that arise. From formals to conversations in the Oriel MCR, and stumbling upon intriguing book titles on library shelves, I’ve encountered new ways of thinking that have enriched my perspective. I’ve been having a nerdy daydream, from early modern French material culture to existential anthropology and walking as a research practice.

The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) community has been my anchor during this time, providing support and connection. From their thoughtfully curated talks and workshops to the comforting jollof rice that soothes homesickness, they’ve created a space that feels like home.

What are you involved in outside of your studies?

Outside of my coursework and research, I often blend in with the tourists, exploring the city with my camera. Photography has been a way for me to engage with my surroundings and document the people I’ve met here. I’ve been working on photographic collages and portraits, using my art to explore themes of queerness and space—how being a raced, sexualized, queer person informs the way we navigate and occupy spaces.

This interest extends to my research on queer cultural production in Nairobi, focusing on how artists and performers use their work to claim space, articulate a politic, and imagine new possibilities for urban living. I’ve also been involved with AfriSoc, contributing to their arts and design programming. I’m particularly excited about the upcoming Oxford Africa Conference, where alongside discussions with business and industry leaders, there will be a focus on how media, culture, arts, and design contribute to representing Africa and shaping its cultural and aesthetic futures. These conversations align closely with my passions.

Looking to the future

My aspirations revolve around translating my research into creative work, specifically art and event production. I want to explore how cities and their cultural spheres can become softer, more inclusive spaces for everyone, while specifically creating safe, creative environments for queer expression in Nairobi.

I also hope to work on a mixed media portrait series and a set of installations that delve into the making of queer spaces in African cities. My ultimate dream is to merge the insights and methodologies from my social science training with the visual and artistic spheres. This could involve pursuing an MFA followed by a DPhil, allowing me to bridge the gap between research and artistic practice in meaningful ways.