A woman with curly blonde hair sitting on a dark gray couch against a plain white wall. She is wearing a light beige top with puffed sleeves and light-colored pants, looking thoughtfully to her right.

Hey, I am Mengia –

– a Swiss-born anthropologist of gender, sexuality, and human rights (PhD) and educator who has lived and worked across Europe, the United States, and India. My own experiences of migration, belonging, and home deeply shape how I understand relationships, intimacy, and care. I currently divide my time between Bristol (UK) and New York City (U.S.) and I share a home with my two beautiful teenage children.

As a researcher, my work explores gender, sexuality, and intimacy through a focus on lived experience, power, and belonging, particularly in relation to LGBTQI+ rights, asylum, and human rights. I am deeply interested in how people navigate intimacy, care, and connection under conditions of in- and exclusion, and how sexuality, gender, and race shape relationships within families, communities, and institutional settings.

My research has taught me that meaningful change begins by listening to our lived experiences and the memories held in our mind, body, and heart.

I am also Adjunct Full Professor of Anthropology and Law and Society at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (City University of New York) and the co-founder of the Queer European Asylum Network. As part of the network, I collaborate with activists, practitioners, and international organizations to advance the rights and protection of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum.

My students and collaborators have taught me to listen more deeply, to reflect carefully, and to practice curiosity and gratitude.

“Drawing on my personal, activist, and research experience, I believe that our most intimate lives are powerful places from where we can explore our vulnerabilities and joys—and, through them, access our power and voice for transformation.”

Qualifications

Completed ICF-Accredited Professional Coaching training at PCC level, OPTIMUS Coach Academy

Trained Couples Relationship Coach, with Dr. Alexandra Solomon

PhD in anthropology, gender, and legal studies, University of Zurich

MA in anthropology, international law, and east asian art history, University of Zurich