Doha, Qatar – Eight scholars from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) will present original research at the 2025 Middle East Studies Association (MESA) annual meeting, a key event for Middle East studies. The conference, taking place November 22-25 in Washington, D.C., will feature NU-Q faculty contributions on topics ranging from digital media and security to historical analysis and gender representation. This significant presence underscores NU-Q’s growing role in academic discourse surrounding the region.
The MESA conference annually gathers academics, educators, and professionals dedicated to the study of the Middle East. This year’s meeting is expected to draw hundreds of attendees from around the globe, fostering collaboration and the exchange of new research findings. Northwestern Qatar’s participation highlights the university’s commitment to scholarly engagement with the region and its complexities.
Northwestern Qatar Scholars to Present at MESA Conference
NU-Q faculty will contribute to a diverse range of panels and sessions. Research presented will address both contemporary and historical issues, offering insights informed by in-depth investigation and direct engagement with the Middle East. Topics include explorations of colonial histories, the evolving landscape of digital media, the formation of religious identity, and potential futures for the Levant region.
Research Focus Areas
Several NU-Q scholars will focus on the impact of digital technologies on the Middle East. This includes examining issues of security, information dissemination, and the evolving role of social media in political and social life. Additionally, research will address the challenges of academic precarity faced by scholars in the region and the nuances of Islamic historiography.
The presentations reflect a broad spectrum of disciplinary approaches within Middle Eastern history and social sciences. Researchers will also explore the representation of gender within the region’s cultural and political contexts. This multifaceted approach demonstrates NU-Q’s dedication to comprehensive and nuanced scholarship.
Alongside the faculty presentations, the Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South (IAS-NUQ) will host the inaugural meeting of the Society for Humanistic Arab Media Studies (SHAMS). Launched in Beirut in May, SHAMS aims to foster interdisciplinary research on Arab media through a humanistic lens.
SHAMS Inaugural Meeting
The SHAMS meeting, organized by NU-Q Dean and CEO Marwan Kraidy and IAS-NUQ Assistant Director Marina Krikorian, will feature a roundtable discussion. This roundtable will bring together scholars of Arab media to reflect on the application of humanistic methodologies in their work. A subsequent planning session will outline the society’s future activities and initiatives.
IAS-NUQ will also maintain a booth at the MESA Book Exhibit throughout the conference. This booth will showcase publications from IAS-NUQ Press and provide information about upcoming fellowship and research opportunities. This provides a platform to disseminate NU-Q’s research output and attract future collaborations. The institute’s press has become increasingly recognized for its contributions to regional studies.
However, the specific details of each presentation and roundtable discussion are still being finalized and will be available on the official MESA conference website closer to the event date. The conference program is expected to be released in the fall of 2025.
Looking ahead, the MESA conference represents a crucial opportunity for NU-Q scholars to share their research and engage with the broader academic community. The success of the inaugural SHAMS meeting will be a key indicator of the society’s potential to shape future research in Arab media studies. Further developments regarding SHAMS’s long-term goals and funding will be closely watched by scholars in the field.
The Middle East Studies Association website will provide updated information on the conference schedule and participating scholars. Northwestern University in Qatar continues to expand its research profile in the region.
