Activist-in-Residence

What is the Activist-in-Residence Program?

The WGS Center for Social Justice’s Activist-in-Residence Program brings social justice activists to campus to interact directly with students. The activists come from a variety of social justice backgrounds and travel to Norman from around the world. Once on campus, activists hold workshops, lead discussion groups, teach classes, screen films, assist in planning projects and campaigns, and are available to students for informal conversations. The WGS Center for Social Justice believes the personal contact and hands-on approach of the AiR Program truly benefits students and works toward our mission of inspiring students to become involved in social justice activism. The residency program covers the AIR's travel expenses and includes an honorarium.

Introducing the WGS CSJ 2025 Activist-in-Residence

Malika Cox

Malika is a conflict resolution expert with experience spanning five continents. As the founder of Mend Flourish, she leads grassroots peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and restorative justice initiatives in Oklahoma City. She fosters dialogue, reconciliation, and repair and societal healing. Her work includes developing curricula, facilitating community-based programs and advisory councils, and consulting on criminal justice reform.

She holds a Master of Law and Diplomacy from Tufts' Fletcher School of Global Affairs and a Master of Philosophy in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Trinity College Dublin. She has worked with The Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies and Clonard Monastery's Peace and Reconciliation Department in Belfast.

Malika is dedicated to restorative justice practices that cultivate community, foster accountability, and transform conflict. She actively engages in advocacy for human rights, resistance to injustice, and organizing community-led boycotts to challenge systems of oppression. Her work bridges restorative practices with direct action, fostering healing and systemic change.

2025 AiR Events

Tuesday, March 11 - 7pm-9pm, OMU Beaird Lbby & Lounge

Oklahoma's Hidden Histories and Transitional Justice Mechanisms

Wednesday, March 12 - 7pm-9pm, OMU Meachum Auditorium

Global Resistance and Restorative Justice for a New World

March 13 - 2pm-4pm, Outh Oval Unity Garden

Rest, Embodiment and Plantary Justice

Flyer for Activist-in-Residence for 2025. Events include Mon, March 10th, 12pm-1pm Foundation of Law Faculty Workshop OU Library Bizzell LL118, Tues, March 11th, 7pm-9pm Oklahoma’s Hidden Histories & Global Resistance OMU Beaird Lobby & Lounge, Wed, March 12th, 7pm-9pm Justice & Resistance for a New World OMU Meacham Auditorium, Thurs, March 13th, 2pm-4pm Rest, Embodiment & Planetary Justice South Oval - Unity Garden.