Arab Spring Professors and Supervisors | ApplySharif

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Ziad MajedView profile

Associate Professor

The American University of ParisFrance

Ziad Majed serves as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Middle East Pluralities within the Department of History and Politics, holding the Elliott E. Burdette Professorship of Middle Eastern Studies. His academic focus centers on Lebanese, Syrian, and broader Arab political affairs, with sustained engagement in civil society reform campaigns since 1994. His educational foundation includes: PhD in Political Sciences from IEP - Sciences-Po, Paris DEA in Political Sciences from IEP - Sciences-Po, Paris MA in Arabic Literature from the American University of Beirut BA in Economics from the American University of Beirut Majed's research critically examines political transitions, civil society dynamics, and democratization challenges across the Arab world. His work demonstrates deep expertise in Lebanese consociationalism, Syrian revolutionary movements, and the interplay between foreign occupation and local authoritarianism, consistently addressing themes of state failure and resistance. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from Arab Spring studies toward contemporary analysis of counter-revolutionary processes, Russian and American geopolitical interventions, and the fragmentation of state authority in Syria and Lebanon. The corpus maintains rigorous focus on occupation politics, sectarian governance crises, and regional power rivalries. Professor Majed actively contributes to public discourse as Coordinator of The Arab Network for the Study of Democracy and opinion writer for Al-Quds Al-Arabi, while serving on boards of Lebanese, Syrian, and French cultural institutions and lecturing internationally at major festivals and conferences.

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Paul GreadyView profile

Professor

University of YorkUnited Kingdom

Professor Paul Gready is a Co-Director of the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) at the University of York. His work bridges academia and activism, focusing on universities as sites of protection and activism, transitional justice, human rights cities, and arts-based interventions. He previously directed CAHR and worked at Amnesty International before entering academia. Gready co-edits the Journal of Human Rights Practice and leads major projects like the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights Defenders and the AHRC-funded Art Rights Truth initiative exploring arts-activism collaborations in crises contexts. His teaching includes courses on human rights practice, culture, and protest, with fieldwork in South Africa. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to human rights challenges, including transitional justice in Colombia and Tunisia, and the role of cities like York in fostering human rights culture. He actively advises NGOs and chairs international networks, reflecting his commitment to practical impact alongside scholarly rigor.

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Adria LawrenceView profile

Associate Professor

Johns Hopkins UniversityUnited States

Adria Lawrence is the Aronson Associate Professor of International Studies and Political Science at Johns Hopkins University, holding a joint appointment between the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Department of Political Science at the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on Middle Eastern and North African politics, colonialism, nationalism, and conflict dynamics. She earned her PhD from the University of Chicago and a BA from Vassar College. Her groundbreaking book, *Imperial Rule and the Politics of Nationalism: Anti-Colonial Protest in the French Empire* (2013), examines post-WWII anti-colonial movements and has received prestigious awards including the J. David Greenstone Book Prize and the L. Carl Brown Book Prize. Current research explores colonial resistance and contemporary Arab world dynamics. Teaching interests include colonial rule, state formation, and qualitative research methods. She advises on topics such as Moroccan political cleavages, autocracy, and social movements in North Africa. Office hours are held via Zoom or in-person at 270 Mergenthaler Hall. Affiliations: Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, SAIS (Program Chair for International Studies Program) Research Sites: Morocco, Tunisia, France (archival work)

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Rachel Marion ScottView profile

Professor

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States

Rachel Marion Scott is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion and Culture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, within the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. She is also affiliated with ASPECT (Alliance of Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought), reflecting her interdisciplinary engagement with political and ethical theory in Islamic contexts. Her research centers on Islamic political thought, modern Islamic law, constitutional development in Muslim-majority countries, and personal status law. She has made significant contributions to understanding the interplay between religion and the nation-state, particularly in Egypt. Her scholarly work explores how religious authority is negotiated in constitutional frameworks, the evolution of Islamic legal thought, and the role of institutions like al-Azhar and the Muslim Brotherhood in shaping political discourse. Professor Scott’s publications reveal a sustained focus on the dynamics of Islamic law in modern governance, with a particular emphasis on Egypt’s constitutional history and legal reforms. Her work bridges religious studies, political science, and legal theory, addressing themes such as secularism, religious pluralism, citizenship, and hermeneutics. The articles show a trajectory from broader studies of political Islam to more nuanced analyses of constitutionalism, gender, and religious authority. She has authored two major monographs: The Challenge of Political Islam: Non-Muslims and the Egyptian State (Stanford University Press, 2010) and Recasting Islamic Law: Religion and the Nation State in Egyptian Constitution Making (Cornell University Press, 2021), both of which are central to contemporary scholarship on Islam and governance. While no formal list of awards is provided in the text, her publications with leading academic presses indicate recognition and scholarly impact in her field. Rachel M. Scott advises graduate students and contributes to academic mentorship through her leadership roles. As department chair, she oversees curriculum development, faculty collaboration, and interdisciplinary initiatives. There is no explicit mention of external grants, but her research output suggests engagement with funded scholarly projects or institutional support. She is affiliated with research initiatives related to Islamic studies, political thought, and constitutional law, particularly through her work with ASPECT and the Department of Religion and Culture. These affiliations support collaborative scholarship on ethics, cultural thought, and the role of religion in public life.

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Mary ElstonView profile

Visiting Assistant Professor

Bowdoin CollegeUnited States

Mary Elston is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Middle Eastern and North African Studies and the Department of Religion at Bowdoin College. She specializes in the history and ethnography of the modern Muslim world, with a regional focus on the Middle East and Arabic-speaking regions. Her work critically examines the intersections of religion, politics, and education, particularly within Sunni Islamic traditions. Her research centers on Islamic knowledge systems and religious authority, especially in the context of modern Egypt. She is currently completing a book manuscript titled Above Time: Reviving Tradition in Modern Egypt , which investigates a traditionalist educational revival at al-Azhar University. This project, based on her prize-winning dissertation, explores how al-Azhar scholars have sought to reassert their authority amid competing Islamic movements. Her recent publications reflect a strong engagement with philology, Islamic heritage (turāth), and contemporary religious scholarship. The articles demonstrate a consistent focus on textual traditions, editorial practices, and the evolution of Islamic thought in the modern period. She also contributes to academic discourse through book reviews and podcast interviews. Scientific Awards: Alwaleed Bin Talal Prize for Best Dissertation in Islamic Studies, Harvard University (2020) Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, her role as a faculty member suggests involvement in student mentorship. She has received recognition through prestigious academic awards, indicating competitive scholarly excellence. Her research has been supported by institutional affiliations with Harvard University and Bowdoin College. Labs and Research Teams: Although no formal lab or research team is mentioned, her interdisciplinary work bridges history, ethnography, and religious studies, and she actively participates in academic networks through publications and media engagements.

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Zakia SalimeView profile

Associate Professor

Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyUnited States

Zakia Salime is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2005). Her research focuses on intersections of gender, globalization, and postcolonial theory, with a regional specialization in Morocco and North Africa. Research Interests: Examining global-local dynamics of human rights frameworks and Islamic legal systems Gendered spatial politics during Arab Spring uprisings Neoliberal land governance and peasant resistance in Morocco Sociolegal analysis of citizenship and resource privatization Current Projects: Her upcoming book manuscript, Seeing like a Woman: Land and Extractive Governance in Morocco , centers rural women's perspectives in land privatization struggles. This ethnographic work explores legal barriers to land access, economic transformations, and grassroots resistance movements. Media Engagement: New York Times coverage (2017): 'In a Fight for Land: A Women’s Movement Shakes Morocco' Analysis of Moroccan cultural politics featured in Monkey Cage blog (2016) Affiliations: Member of SAS Gender Studies Program Research collaborations with Middle East studies initiatives Office: Davison Hall 137, New Brunswick campus

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Thomas RichterView profile

Professor

GIGA German Institute of Global and Area StudiesGermany

Thomas Richter is a leading academic and Professor at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) , where he serves as Lead Research Fellow and Head of the Research Programme "Accountability and Participation" . His work focuses on the institutional and material determinants of authoritarian rule , executive personalization , and global political economy , particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region. Education: PhD in Political Science (summa cum laude) at the University of Bremen (2008); studies at Eberhard-Karls University Tuebingen and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research explores the interplay of rentier statehood and economic reforms , civil society under authoritarian regimes , and shrinking civic spaces . Recent projects include the Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM) and the Monitoring System and Transfer Platform Radicalisation (MOTRA) , funded by BMBF and DFG. Richter has published extensively on topics such as anti-Semitism , executive power dynamics , and public opinion on military service in Germany. He has received notable awards, including the Lijphart/Przeworski/Verba Data Set Award (2017) and the Gero Erdmann-Preis für vergleichende Area-Forschung (2022) . His collaborative work spans institutions like the WZB Berlin and Université de Tunis . Richter is also a co-editor of the Perspectives on the Maghreb series with Amsterdam University Press.

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Filippo Carlo WezelView profile

Professor

University of Italian SwitzerlandSwitzerland

Filippo Carlo Wezel is a Full Professor of Organization and Management at the Faculty of Economics of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), where he also serves as Director of the Institute of Management and Organisation. He holds additional research affiliations as a Visiting Research Professor at emlyon Business School (France) and a Research Fellow at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. He plays a significant editorial role as Senior Editor at Organization Studies and serves on the editorial review boards of Organization Science , Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal , Strategic Organization , and the Advisory Board of Research in the Sociology of Organizations . His educational background includes a PhD in Management from the University of Bologna. Prior to joining USI in 2009, he held academic positions at the University of Groningen (post-doctoral researcher) and Tilburg University (Assistant and Associate Professor). He has also been a visiting scholar at leading institutions including Wharton, MIT, Columbia, Duke, London Business School, LSE, and Hong Kong University. His research centers on organizational identity, managerial and inter-firm mobility, entrepreneurship, and institutional theory. His recent publications explore identity hybridization in political parties, category dynamics in creative industries, historical organizational practices in colonial firms, and stigma in emerging markets. He frequently employs longitudinal, historical, and experimental methodologies, often bridging sociology and management. The most recent articles (2020–2025) reflect a strong trajectory in the sociology of organizations, with recurring themes of identity, categorization, legitimacy, and mobility. He investigates how social evaluations, historical constraints, and institutional environments shape organizational behavior and strategic positioning. His work spans diverse contexts—from 18th-century Lyon silk traders to modern ICT firms and medical marijuana markets—demonstrating a broad empirical and theoretical reach. Scientific Honors and Editorial Roles: Senior Editor, Organization Studies Editorial Review Board, Organization Science Editorial Review Board, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal Editorial Review Board, Strategic Organization Advisory Board, Research in the Sociology of Organizations He has extensive experience in teaching organizational theory and behavior at undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and executive levels. His research has been published in top-tier journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly , American Sociological Review , Academy of Management Journal , and Strategic Management Journal . He leads a vibrant research agenda at USI, supported by a broad international network, though specific grants and funded projects are not detailed in the provided text. He is also involved in mentoring students and shaping the next generation of organizational scholars, though a list of advisees is not available. Filippo Carlo Wezel is a key figure in the European organizational studies community, leading the Institute of Management and Organisation at USI and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between organization theory and strategy. His work combines deep historical insight with contemporary theoretical innovation, contributing significantly to our understanding of how organizations and careers evolve under institutional and social pressures.

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David B RobertsView profile

Associate Professor

King’s College LondonUnited Kingdom

Dr David B Roberts is a Reader in International Security and Middle East Studies at King’s College London, leading the Arabic and English Master of Research (MRes) programme in the School of Security Studies. He holds adjunct faculty roles at Sciences Po’s Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), and is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute and the Middle East Policy Council. His primary research focuses on Middle East security, foreign policy analysis, and military capability development in Gulf monarchies. He authored Security Politics in the Gulf Monarchies: Continuity Amid Change (Columbia UP, 2023) and uses Foucault’s dispositif concept to analyze military innovation. Dr Roberts has supervised PhD students including Sara Al Mahri and Ali Al-Maadeed. His work explores ontological security, US-Gulf relations, and the impact of Iranian activity on UK interests. He founded the Cambridge Elements in Middle East Politics book series and previously directed RUSI Qatar. His research group on Environmental Security bridges security studies and environmental issues. Recent publications analyze US retrenchment in the Gulf, UAE military development, and Qatar’s evolving foreign policies. He actively engages with policy debates through events like the 2024 discussion on Gulf monarchies’ security roles. Grants and collaborations include work with RAND Corporation and King’s College think-tanks.

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Lana SalmanView profile

Assistant Professor

University of TorontoCanada

Lana Salman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto . A scholar of international development and urban politics, her research focuses on everyday statecraft, social reproduction, and urbanism in the Middle East and North Africa. PhD, University of California, Berkeley (City and Regional Planning, Global Metropolitan Studies) MUPP, American University of Beirut Her research explores how urban populations negotiate citizenship and state formation through: Land access and infrastructure development Microfinance institution operations Post-revolutionary governance practices Transdisciplinary north-south comparative analysis Current projects include: Tunisia State-Making: Ethnographic study of urban poor communities' role in statecraft Brussels-Beirut Comparison: Analysis of social workers' roles in refugee resettlement and urban displacement

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Rania MaktabiView profile

Associate Professor

Østfold University CollegeNorway

Rania Maktabi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Welfare, Management and Organization, Østfold University College. Her research focuses on political relations in the Middle East, particularly the legal status of Arab women, citizenship, and the interplay between religion, law, and politics in Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Qatar, Morocco, and Egypt. Key research areas include citizenship studies , gender and law , legal reforms in authoritarian regimes , and post-Arab Spring dynamics . She has published extensively on female lawyers' mobilization , patriarchal nationality laws , and women's political participation , including the 2018 edited book Brennpunkt Midtøsten: Byene som prisme . Her notable awards include the 2014 Prize for Research Dissemination . Collaborations include projects like "The Unfolding Transformation of the State System in the Middle East" (2019–ongoing) and "Gender and Judging in the Middle East & Africa" (2016–2022). She is actively involved in the interdisciplinary research group AreaS , focusing on electoral politics, medialized politics, and women's political participation in the Middle East and beyond.

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Anoush EhteshamiView profile

Professor

Durham UniversityUnited Kingdom

Professor Anoush Ehteshami holds the Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Chair in International Relations at Durham University's School of Government and International Affairs. He directs the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies (IMEIS), one of Europe's oldest centers of excellence in Middle Eastern studies, and leads the HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security. Previously, he served as Durham's Dean of Internationalization (2009-2011), founding Head of the School of Government and International Affairs (2004-2009), and Joint Director of the £3.9 million AHRC-funded Open Worlds Initiative (2016-2021). His research centers on Middle Eastern international relations with emphases on Persian Gulf dynamics, regional security architectures, and China's geopolitical expansion through the Belt and Road Initiative. He examines evolving power structures including Iran-Saudi rivalries, Eurasian connectivity, and the impact of non-state actors on regional stability. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with policy-relevant analysis of energy politics, strategic alliances, and cultural diplomacy in contested spaces. Ehteshami's publication trajectory reveals intensifying focus on Asia-Middle East linkages, Iranian strategic behavior, and multipolar security frameworks. Recent works analyze China's economic statecraft, proxy warfare mechanisms, and the fragmentation of regional orders through lenses of geopolitical competition and institutional adaptation. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the World Economic Forum (2002) As a doctoral supervisor, Ehteshami mentors Abdullah Al-Khonaini, Fahad Al Fahad, and Mengqi Sun. His £3.9 million AHRC grant directed cross-linguistic community research, while his RCUK-funded Centre for Advanced Study of the Arab World (2006-2016) established national doctoral training networks. He edits two major book series and serves on seven international journal editorial boards, shaping scholarly discourse on Middle Eastern and Islamic studies. He leads IMEIS as a hub for interdisciplinary Middle Eastern scholarship and directs the HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme, which integrates security studies with political economy analyses through collaborative international research initiatives.

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Joe F. KhalilView profile

Professor

Northwestern UniversityUnited States

Joe F. Khalil is a Professor in Residence at Northwestern University in Qatar's Communication Program. His research focuses on digital media industries, Arab television, youth culture, and alternative media in the Middle East. He co-authored influential works like *The Digital Double Bind* (Oxford UP, 2024) and co-edited *The Handbook of Media and Culture in the Middle East* (2023). His interdisciplinary work bridges media industries, digital cultures, and sociopolitical dynamics. **Education**: PhD in Mass Communication from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), MA in Telecommunications from Ohio University. **Research Interests**: Digital media transformation, Arab TV industries, youth-generated media, rap culture, and global media power structures. **Grants & Awards**: Recipient of Qatar National Research Fund grants (2015-2016), Smith Richardson Foundation grant (2008), and fellowships at institutions including LSE and SOAS. Active in IAMCR and ICA. **Teaching**: Designs courses on global media, Arab TV industries, production research, and webseries development. Mentors students in both academic and professional pathways. **Professional Experience**: Former TV executive and radio DJ, with media expertise spanning Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Regular commentator on Al Jazeera and BBC, addressing Arab media and youth issues.

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Ahmed Al-RawiView profile

Associate Professor

Simon Fraser UniversityCanada

Ahmed Al-Rawi is an Associate Professor of News, Social Media, and Public Communication at Simon Fraser University's School of Communication. Since 2019, he has served as Director of the Disinformation Project, whose findings have been featured nationally and internationally. His academic work bridges journalism, digital media studies, and public communication with a focus on disinformation, social media dynamics, and media's role in democratic processes. Dr. Al-Rawi's research interests span disinformation studies, social media analysis, news framing, computational journalism, and the intersection of digital communication with societal issues including racism and public health crises. His work examines how digital platforms shape public discourse, influence political processes, and frame critical societal issues like the opioid crisis in Canada. He approaches these topics through interdisciplinary lenses that combine media studies, political science, and sociology. His scholarly contributions reveal consistent focus on digital communication's impact on society, with recent work examining far-right movements, conspiracy theories, and mediated racism in Canadian contexts. Earlier research explored similar dynamics in Middle Eastern contexts, particularly during the Arab Spring and in conflict zones like Iraq. Shortlisted for Gertrude Robinson Prize (2022) Radio report nominated for US national award (2004) Teaching awards at Erasmus University As an academic leader, Dr. Al-Rawi has advised numerous graduate students, served on editorial boards for prestigious journals including Journal of Popular Communication and Digital Journalism, and reviewed over 220 research papers. His practical expertise extends to consulting for governmental bodies including the Canadian Senate, House of Commons, Public Order Emergency Commission, and Elections BC.

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Alexander CooleyView profile

Professor

Barnard CollegeUnited States

Alexander Cooley is the Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University, and serves as Vice Provost for Research and Academic Centers. He previously directed Columbia’s Harriman Institute (2015–2021), a leading center for Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European studies. His research focuses on external actors’ influence in post-Soviet states, kleptocracy, and the decline of American hegemony. Cooley has authored/co-authored eight books, including *Exit from Hegemony* (2020) and *Dictators Without Borders* (2017). He advises international bodies, testifies before Congress, and publishes in *Foreign Affairs*, *Foreign Policy*, and *New York Times*. Educated at Swarthmore College and Columbia University (MA, MPhil, PhD), his work spans global governance, international rankings, and authoritarian resilience. Grants from Open Society Foundations and Carnegie Corporation support his research. Education: BA (Swarthmore), MA/MPhil/PhD (Columbia) Leadership Roles: Harriman Institute Director, Barnard Vice Provost Research Themes: Eurasian geopolitics, authoritarianism, US-Russia military bases, global rankings His recent articles analyze Russia’s post-Soviet influence, America’s declining hegemony, and Central Asia’s adaptation to shifting global powers. Cooley’s work bridges academia and policy, addressing contemporary challenges like kleptocracy and multipolarity through rigorous scholarship and public engagement.

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