Themes

The themes of the first Academy revolved around the three ACSS working groups. The fifty-five participants from nine countries (selected after a 2-step application process) attended keynote lectures by the working group faculty members, professionalization/ training sessions as well as mentoring sessions on their research papers. The working groups involved were:

Academy Components

The Academy program included the following components:

• Working Groups Thematic Sessions: participants were divided between the three working groups, which gave them the opportunity to work and network within smaller groups. Core faculty and guest lecturers to introduce participants to the above-mentioned themes and the ways in which critical research within these themes can be conducted. Faculty members also presented their contribution to these themes and their ongoing work.
• Mentoring & writing sessions: The purpose of these sessions was for participants to present their research within smaller groups and to receive written and verbal feedback from faculty members as well as their peers.
• Keynote lectures: Two keynote sessions were organized on the themes: “What is the Arab Region?” and “Criticality in the Social Sciences”. Prominent social scientists, Mohammed Bamyeh and Adam Hanieh, presented for the first session and Ghassan Hage and Sara Mourad at the second session
• Trainings: Provided by experts in their fields, these included “Professional Self Presentation”, “Publishing in the Social Sciences”, “Writing for Diverse Audiences and Digital Media Skills”, “Research Ethics in the Social Sciences”.
• Professionalization/professional development sessions: Participants and faculty members came together to discuss issues around publishing, fieldwork, teaching, and other professional concerns.

Testimonials