RHU assistant professor at the Languages and Liberal Arts Unit, Dr. Naziha Shamseddine, presented her thought-provoking research titled "Rewriting History through Historiographic Metafiction: An Alternative to Conventional Textbooks in Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad" at the prestigious 16th Asian Conference on Arts & Humanities (ACAH2025), organised by IAFOR. The international conference took place in Tokyo, Japan, from 11 to 16 May 2025, and brought together scholars and educators from across the globe.
Dr. Shamseddine’s work explores how literature can serve as a powerful medium for conveying complex historical realities, particularly those of marginalised communities, offering a compelling alternative to traditional historical narratives.
With over 570 delegates from 51 countries, ACAH2025 fostered rich interdisciplinary dialogue across the fields of arts, culture, and humanities. The Conference sessions were marked by vibrant discussions, and Dr. Shamseddine’s presentation drew significant interest for its unique blend of literary analysis and historiographical inquiry.
Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Shamseddine shared: “Historiographic metafiction allows us to reimagine the past and give voice to historically marginalised narratives. Presenting at ACAH2025 was a valuable opportunity to highlight how literature can reshape the way we understand history.”
Her participation underscores RHU’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and global engagement in the humanities.