Following the ACSS participation in the 2017 World Humanities Conference in Liege, Belgium, it was invited to contribute the Arab region’s section in the World Humanities Report (WHR), focusing specifically on institutions and collectives driving forward critical humanities in the region. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the ACSS engaged a diverse group of scholars from the region and beyond. Their mission was to explore and provide insights into the various elements that influence the formation and evolution of humanities knowledge within the Arab context. The ACSS report delves into the dynamics of knowledge production, examining the roles of institutions, academic disciplines, societal interactions, the concept of public benefit, and the emergence of new collaborative efforts and fields of study. Importantly, it also addresses the challenges posed by crises and how these affect both scholarly and public discourse.
The body of the report is comprised of twenty-five academic essays and think pieces, each penned specifically for our study, alongside twenty-six case studies profiling key organizations, collectives, and institutions driving forward the critical humanities across the Arab world. These case studies stem from a comprehensive survey conducted in 2021. While not exhaustive, these contributions shed light on the ongoing efforts to redefine the humanities and related disciplines, highlighting the remarkable drive towards creating more open and equitable societies despite considerable external challenges. This vibrant energy, which intersects with activism, mobilization, and protest, is a testament to the transformative power of research and inquiry in the region.
Our goal is for this report to not only recognize and celebrate these contributions but also to act as a springboard for future initiatives led by the ACSS. By highlighting the vital links between individual and collective endeavors, we aim to further enrich and expand the landscape of social sciences and humanities in the Arab region.
