Sana Illahe

My origins are in Lahore, Pakistan. I earned my doctorate in sociology from South Dakota State University in 2022 and afterwards taught at the department of Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies at University of Wisconsin La Crosse for two years.

My research interests include studying how transgender persons negotiate mobility in various spaces in Pakistan, especially in urban public spaces. I study the violence against transgender people and how transgender persons respond to the violence and navigate these spaces.

My teaching interests especially revolve around themes of decolonization, with a special focus on gender, promoting an understanding of marginalized identities within their own cultural frameworks.

Before leaning towards sociology, I studied and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in economics with a minor in mathematics from Lahore University of Management Sciences in Lahore, Pakistan. The critical economist in me peeks out especially when I teach topics around social class, development, and economic systems.

In the past, I have served as Equity Liaison and as Faculty Advisor to Asian Students Organization at University of Wisconsin La Crosse.

I am a trained vocalist in Pakistani (Hindustani) classical music tradition, and perform in concerts frequently. I use interdisciplinary approaches in collaborating with music programs, to create global cultural consciousness among students.