SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Hanifa Nakiryowa, a Ugandan acid attack survivor and human rights activist, will speak about the medical, legal and socio-economic dimensions of acid attacks at Lawrence Technological University’s 15th annual Harold Hotelling Memorial Lecture on Nov. 6, 2025.
The lecture, hosted by College of Arts and Sciences at LTU’s Southfield campus, will examine acid attacks in Uganda through expert insights, research and survivor narratives, with a focus on prevention, justice and support systems.
Nakiryowa founded the Center for Rehabilitation of Survivors of Acid and Burns Violence (CERESAV) in 2012, a Kampala-based nonprofit that mobilizes medical care and counseling for acid attack survivors, supports the education of their children and offers job training to help survivors rebuild their lives. The organization also works to raise awareness of acid violence and advocate for legal reforms in Uganda.
“Hanifa was attacked with acid after trying to leave an abusive marriage. She nearly died after receiving burns on a large percentage of her body,” said Jessi Hanson-DeFusco, assistant professor of public policy at LTU and CERESAV board member. “Acid attack survivors often face overwhelming social stigmatization and isolation after recovery. Instead of hiding her scars, she bravely chose to reveal herself and fight for the rights of survivors like her.”
CERESAV currently supports a large-scale research project involving dozens of LTU students and students from other U.S. universities studying acid violence around the world.
Nakiryowa holds a master’s degree in international development and human security studies from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Nairobi. She serves on the Executive Advisory Council of the University of Dayton Human Rights Center.
Her forthcoming lecture is part of the Harold Hotelling Memorial Lecture Series, established to honor Harold Hotelling (1945-2009), who joined LTU as an associate professor of economics in 1989. Hotelling taught courses in business law, business ethics, constitutional law, urban social issues, and law and economics until his death.
The lecture will take place at 5 p.m. in the Mary E. Marburger Science and Engineering Auditorium, 21000 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, Mich. 48075.
This event is open to the public. To register, visit https://ltu.edu/arts-and-sciences/research/lectures/harold-hotelling-lecture-series/.
Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU, which offers communication training programs of the former Specs Howard School, and LTU’s growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.
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