Dr. Noa Balf
I am an independent researcher. I study the political representation of women and minorities in the Global South focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region, and the case of Israel in particular. My mixed-methods research explores systemic obstacles to the inclusion, advancement, and representation of historically marginalized groups within elite political institutions, such as legislatures and the executive branch. My research centers on two themes: how gender and race impact entry into political institutions, and what barriers do historically marginalized populations face once in office in influencing policy making. In sum, how gender and race influence access to political power.
In addition, I am a Research Affiliate at the Forum for Regional Thinking at the Van Leer Institute at Hebrew University, as well as the Haifa Feminist Institute.
Previously, I held the Melanie and Andrew Goodman Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Olamot Center in the Borns Jewish Studies program at Indiana University in Bloomington and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Jewish Studies Program and Israel Institute Teaching Fellow at the University of Kansas.
As part of my public facing work, I contributed my expertise to the Wilson Center in Washington DC, and published opinion pieces on politics and gender in Israel in the media. By using an intersectional framework for analyzing political processes in Israeli politics as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I provide new and exciting insight.
Please check out some of my recent work -
“Why the protests in Israel focus on the Army”, The Forum for Regional Thinking – Van Leer Institute, July 17, 2023
“Can she handle it? How the Israeli media covers women politicians”,+972Magazine, March 23 2021
“Israel will hold national elections on Tuesday. Here’s a guide for the totally unfamiliar.” Monkey Cage Blog The Washington Post, March 21 2021
“Stopping the Loss of Women’s Jobs in Israel,” The Wilson Center – Enheduanna, March 8 2021
“‘I don’t know her’: How Israeli elections disregard women voters,”+972Magazine, January 11 2021
“Why are Israeli generals such terrible politicians?,” +972Magazine, December 11 2020
“Israelis are great at protesting. They aren’t great at turning those protests into lasting change,” Jerusalem Post, September 10 2020
“Call it what it is: Normalization of Men. The Women Stayed Home,” The Forward, September 17 2020
“Why is the Israeli Government for ‘Men Only’?,” Globes [Hebrew], June 8 2020
“Lack of Women’s Representation in Decision-Making Positions Hurts Us All”, Globes [Hebrew], May 11 2020
“A Multi-Pronged Approach to Gender Equality in Israel,” The Wilson Center – Enheduanna, March 8 2020
"Parties and Voters – Why Women in Israel Cannot Catch a Break", The Wilson Center – Enheduanna, September 23 2019
*My Resume and CV are available upon request*
