Manal (pronounced as muh-Nell) Murangi is a filmmaker and justice-based storyteller currently pursuing a Master of Art degree in the Marine Affairs (MAF) program at the University of Rhode Island. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a focus on cinematography and film/video production, Manal worked as an Aquaculture and Coastal Resilience Science Communicator with Maryland Sea Grant and as a Multimedia Specialist for LMI. Her experience aboard research vessels, including the EV Nautilus, solidified her passion for marine issues and inspired her to shift her career focus toward community-centered marine storytelling. These hands-on experiences allowed her to apply her technical skills as a video engineer while also deepening her commitment to ocean conservation.

With a diverse background –having a Namibian father and an Egyptian mother– Manal grew up navigating multiple cultural narratives, which fueled her interest in identity and justice. Reflecting on her personal journey, she shared, “When you’re from a mixed background, there’s a part of you that just wants to know where you fit in.” This personal curiosity now drives her academic work, particularly in exploring the intersections of migration, maritime communities, the ocean, and filmmaking. Identifying as a “disruptive giver,” Manal sees her role as challenging the status quo with the goal of advancing justice. Whether through her professional work or personal projects, she is committed to making the world a better, more equitable place.

In the MAF program, Manal is particularly drawn to Dr. Amelia Moore’s Race, Gender, and Colonialism in Science course. Reflecting on her current favorite class, she noted “The texts are like gateways to whole new worlds of thinking… it’s been so helpful, giving me a lot of sources and concepts that I want to bring into both my personal life and my work.” These frameworks resonate with her goal of using filmmaking to challenge traditional narratives and highlight the voices of underrepresented coastal and migrant communities.

She enjoys reading speculative fiction books, caring for her cat and plants, secondhand/vintage shopping, and interacting with nature whenever and however she can.