Maher Akraa

Maher Akraa is a Research Associate at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art (HSLU), part of the Diversity Team, and a PhD candidate at the University of Zurich's Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), collaborating with the Bern Academy of the Arts. His interdisciplinary research focuses on hate speech in social media, media socialization, and design-driven interventions for conflict resolution in polarized societies. He also holds affiliations with the Democracy Studies Programme at UZH's Department of Political Science.

• Education: MA in Design (Trends & Identity) from Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), 2023; BA in Interior Design from the Private University of Science & Arts in Aleppo, Syria, 2011.

Research interests span media, communication, design, democracy, and conflict dynamics, with a focus on Syria's cultural heritage and humanitarian crises. He investigates the societal impact of hate speech and designs empathy-driven solutions. His work integrates design rhetoric and media ethics to foster open discourse.

Key contributions include the "Dialogue Design" thesis and the "Dialogue Tent" project, which explore mediation strategies for fragmented societies. His articles address AI's role in creativity and cultural preservation through projects like ZEYTOUN.

• Awards: 2006 UN Population Fund Best Photograph Award (Child Labour category).

Advising and grants: Maher contributes to academic and policy workshops on Syria's constitutional process, collaborating with UN and Swiss organizations. His media platform, Brocar Media Network, focuses on Middle Eastern affairs and press freedom advocacy. He has no listed advisees but actively mentors through workshops.

Labs/Teams: Involved in HSLU's Diversity Team, the IKMZ research group, and the Democracy Studies Programme. His work bridges academia, journalism, and activism to address global crises.