Northwestern University in Qatar will examine the evolving role of the humanities in the Arab region at its upcoming Dean’s Global Forum, “Humanities in the Arab World: Opportunities and Challenges,” on November 4, 2024. The forum will bring together scholars and thinkers to explore how humanistic inquiry can shape the understanding of cultural, social, and historical dynamics in the region.
Moderated by Dean Marwan M. Kraidy, the forum will feature Hoda Elsadda, professor of English and comparative literature at Cairo University; Seteney Shami, founding director-general of the Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS); and Joy Connolly, president of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS). Together, they will explore how the humanities can contribute to understanding and navigating the region’s complexities, while identifying pathways for regional and global collaboration.
“At Northwestern Qatar, we are committed to advancing knowledge production in the Global South by creating spaces for rigorous academic exchange,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “The humanities explore the human condition, so I am thrilled to be discussing the richness of the Arab experience with my distinguished guests. This Dean’s Global Forum will provide an opportunity to bring together scholars who are deeply engaged with the humanities and their potential to offer fresh perspectives on the Arab world’s humanities landscape.”
Elsadda, whose work focuses on gender studies, oral history, and literature, will contribute a nuanced perspective on how these fields reflect and shape societal shifts in the Arab world. As co-founder of the Women and Memory Forum, her efforts to recover marginalized voices challenge dominant narratives, offering a critical lens for understanding the intellectual heritage of the region.
With her leadership at the ACSS, Shami has been instrumental in building networks of social science research throughout the Arab region. Her anthropological background and extensive fieldwork in countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey provide a deep understanding of the complexities involved in knowledge production in the Global South.
“The ACSS is pleased to present its report on the state of the humanities in the Arab region at this distinguished forum. This is the fourth in a series of reports that document and analyze the landscape of social science and humanities research in the Arab region, with special attention to the dynamics of knowledge production in contexts of political turmoil, crises and violence,” said Shami. “We hope that the report will help open up new and ambitious research agendas and serve as a source of inspiration for researchers, universities and research institutions in the Arab region.”
Connolly’s work focuses on the importance of broadening the reach of humanistic scholarship through public engagement and community-oriented research. Her ongoing work, All the World’s Pasts, advocates for reframing classical studies through a global lens, challenging conventional boundaries.
The Dean’s Global Forum reflects the university’s commitment to facilitating intellectual exchanges that address the evolving challenges of the Arab region. Past speakers have included MSNBC anchor Ayman Mohyeldin; Prathama Banerjee, professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies; Amal Mohammed Al-Malki, founding dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University; and Eve Troutt Powell, the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania.
The event is open to the public, providing an opportunity for students, faculty, and members of the community to engage with the panelists during a Q&A session.
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