As part of the FRN 440 course on Franco-Arabic Comics, Kriti Shirodkar has undertaken an honors project under the guidance of Professor Valentina Denzel. Her research is dedicated to the life and legacy of Razan al-Najjar, a Palestinian medic whose death in 2018 became a symbol of resilience and injustice. Through a feminist and postcolonial lens, Kriti examines how Razan’s story has been represented in Western and French media, exposing the erasure of Palestinian women’s voices in global discourse.
This project is more than historical documentation as it also reflects an act of remembrance and advocacy. By analyzing media narratives, Kriti explores the intersections of gender, humanitarian work, and political resistance, ensuring that Razan’s contributions as a healthcare worker and a symbol of defiance are not forgotten.
“Razan’s story illustrates the resilience of Palestinian women in humanitarian and resistance efforts, challenging dominant narratives that depoliticize or marginalize their contributions.” – Kriti writes
About the Researcher
Kriti is majoring in Neuroscience and French through the Honors College, Lyman Briggs College, and the College of Arts & Letters. As a pre-med student, she became interested in the intersection of science, language, and social justice, particularly how language barriers impact access to education and healthcare. Her research in educational psychology focuses on STEM persistence and systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities. Studying French has allowed her to engage deeply with Francophone literature, history, and media, broadening her perspective on global narratives of identity and resistance. She hopes to use her background in both medicine and the humanities to advocate for more inclusive healthcare practices. Outside of academics, Kriti enjoys reading memoirs, playing Romantic-era piano, practicing calligraphy, and exploring martial arts.
Her interdisciplinary approach to learning reflects the mission of FRN 440, where students use research as a tool for storytelling and activism. Through her project, she hopes to preserve the voices of those often overlooked by history and demonstrate how scholarship can serve as both tribute and resistance.
