The Imposters

The conversation explores imposter syndrome in education and development spaces, the power of lived experience in education and emergencies, and the role of diaspora and community-led initiatives in education. It also delves into the impact of imposter syndrome on practitioners and the systemic outcomes of dependency and coloniality. Additionally, it highlights the research interests in refugee education and provides advice for early career practitioners in the field. The conversation concludes with a reflection on resilience and commitment to refugee education.Chapters00:00 Introduction to The Impostors Podcast06:50 Journey into Refugee Education and Emergencies17:21 Diaspora and Community-Led Initiatives in Education26:41 Imposter Syndrome and Dependency35:29 Advice for Early Career Practitioners in Refugee Education

The conversation explores the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and the recognition of lived experience as professional expertise in humanitarian and psychosocial work. It delves into the recentering of expertise in humanitarian work and the practice of psychosocial support, highlighting the importance of dignity, ethics, and community-led approaches to care.

What does it mean to navigate humanitarian spaces shaped by systems you’ve personally lived through?In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Lila sits down with Mohammed Kappi, a Sudanese humanitarian and human rights practitioner whose work is deeply informed by his own experience of displacement. Together, they unpack how “imposter syndrome” often shows up not as a personal shortcoming, but as a reflection of unequal power structures within the humanitarian sector.Kappi reflects on his early career and the tension of entering professional spaces that rarely recognize lived experience as expertise. He shares how displacement has shaped not only his perspective, but also his approach to humanitarian work—grounding it in empathy, accountability, and proximity to the communities he serves.This episode challenges dominant narratives around who gets to be considered an expert, and invites listeners to rethink how knowledge is valued in global development. It sets the foundation for Part 2, where Kappi explores how lived experience actively informs his psychosocial support practice.

Nana Ama, an education policy and system specialist, discusses the challenges of navigating power in education systems and the importance of local voices in shaping policy. She emphasizes the need for a decolonial approach to education reform, highlighting the impact of lived experience and local expertise.

The conversation delves into the systemic nature of imposter syndrome and its connection to coloniality in knowledge production. It explores the impact of Orientalism on knowledge authorization and the structural production of imposter syndrome. The discussion also highlights the role of positionality in research and the reframing of imposter syndrome as a form of criticality.

In this insightful interview, Aafreen shares her journey through academia, her experiences with imposter syndrome, and how lived experience can serve as a powerful form of knowledge. She discusses the impact of her upbringing in Kashmir, her academic pursuits, and her current research on belongingness in STEM education.

Do you ever feel like an imposter?This trailer introduces The Imposters, a podcast that explores the recentering of expertise in global development and highlights the need to recognize communities as decision makers and leaders in their own right. It challenges the traditional view of communities as recipients and beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of lived experience in shaping expertise in development work.Welcome to The Imposters. Launching April 2026.