Kathleen Keller

Professor Kathleen Keller specializes in the history of connections between France and West Africa in the 20th century, especially related to colonialism. Her current research is on the life of a curious character in French history--Mamadou Kane, a Senegalese man who embarked on a variety of adventures in 20th c. France as a prince, wizard, and charlatan.

Dr. Keller's first book Colonial Suspects: Suspicion, Imperial Rule, and Colonial Society in Interwar French West Africawas published in April 2018 by University of Nebraska Press. It recounts the surveillance of "suspicious persons" by French colonial police in the interwar era. The book delves into the politics of colonial rule, the role of the "civilizing mission," and understandings of urban people and space.

Prof. Keller has also published articles in the journals French Historical Studies, French Colonial History, and the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History.

She recently published an essay about anti-colonial protest in the Washington Post.

Prof. Keller teaches courses on Africa, Europe, women's history, world history, and imperialism. 

Courses Taught