About Me

My name is Liz Timbs. I am currently a PhD candidate in African history at Michigan State University, studying South African history with Peter Alegi. I also hold a Master’s in Comparative World History from George Mason University. My research focuses on the history of the Zulu.  My doctoral research focuses on Zulu coming of age rituals, especially how these rites are connected to constructions of generation and masculinity. I am also very interested in sports history in South Africa, both traditional Zulu athletics (like stick-fighting) as well as South African football. Finally, I consider myself a digital historian, drawing on methods and technologies from the digital humanities to present more compelling portrayals of the past to a broader audience.