USF doctoral student earns ‘Top Student Award’ from the International Communication Association

USF College of Arts and Sciences communication doctoral student Rana Elhendi’s paper, “‘The rubber band is already broken: An extended case study of UNDP transformative resilience framework in the context of Palestine,” has earned the Top Student Award from the International Communication Association’s Organizational Communication division.

She was recognized at this year’s International Communication Association annual conference held in Toronto, Canada in May.

Her research examines the Western dynamics of the resilience discourse on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) website, the lead agency for resilience in Palestine.

“This recognition holds immense significance for me,” she said. “My research challenges the prevailing Western discourse on resilience and introduces the indigenous Palestinian concept of sumud. It acknowledges the importance of diversifying resilience discourse and emphasizes the value of critical exploration within the growing body of scholarship surrounding communicative approaches to studying resilience.”

She explains that this research contributes to the field of communication scholarship by “critiquing the prevailing notion of resilience as universally applicable, emphasizing the necessity to recognize diverse conceptualizations and implementations, particularly in complicated contexts such as war zones, conflict areas, and unstable environments.”

Elhendi said that despite having working experience with humanitarian and development NGOs in Palestine, the UNDP’s proposition on resilience was not entirely surprising.

“However, what caught my attention was their approach of incorporating the Palestinian term ‘sumud’ to localize the concept of resilience linguistically,” she said. “The UNDP employs the linguistic fluidity of the Palestinian term to select and embrace the definition that aligns with their own perspective. On the surface, it might appear that UNDP and the Palestinians are speaking about the same concept. However, a deeper examination of the UNDP selection criteria of sumud reveals a contrast between the two concepts. While sumud is rooted in the pursuit of justice, the UNDP’s interpretation of resilience revolves around maintaining Palestinian stability within the colonial occupation.”

Elhendi, who is aiming to graduate by 2026, said she hopes to explore both academic and leadership roles in the humanitarian and development sector post-graduation, where she said she hopes to effect meaningful change.

“My interest in communication stemmed from my experience with local and international organizations and my educational background. The multidisciplinary nature of communication has always intrigued me, with a primary interest in exploring communicative processes within aid organizations that work in war zones and conflict areas,” she said. “I chose the communication program at USF due to its commitment to social justice and amplifying marginalized voices. The dedication of the USF communication department to diversity, innovation, rigorous academia, and a supportive environment, offers the ideal platform for my personal and professional growth.”

She said attending the conference would not have been possible without the mentorship and insights of her professors and colleagues, who she says have been invaluable in shaping her aspirations, particularly the guidance of her co-author, Dr. Patrice M. Buzzanell, a distinguished professor in the Department of Communication.

“Participating in the conference was an enriching experience, providing a dynamic platform for learning and inspiration,” she said. “The opportunity to engage and interact with experts and peers from around the world broadened my perspectives and facilitated networking for potential collaborations and mentorship.”