Alae researches the archaeology and material histories of medieval cities in the Sahara region in North and West Africa, specifically investigating how the Islamic archaeological record was produced as a collateral outcome from missions focused on Greco-Roman remains. Alongside this, she studies the reception of archaeological records and how they were mobilized through different representational regimes in Post Colonial and Post Independence movements in the region.
Prior to joining the program, Alae worked as an archeological research assistant in the Islamic Art Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Nishapur Archive Project and the Towns of Karakum Project. She also worked on various curatorial projects internationally and was a researcher and editor for the artist Yto Barrada.
She holds a Master of Architecture from the École Spéciale d’Architecture and a joint Master of Islamic Studies from Columbia University and Aga Khan University, London. She is a licensed architect in France, with experience in heritage reconstruction using multiple construction methods. Alae also worked on urban development through cultural initiatives with UNESCO.
