Deina Abdelkader

Dr. Deina Abdelkader is an Associate Professor and Director of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she is affiliated with the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Her academic work bridges Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Global Studies, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Islamic political thought.

Dr. Abdelkader's research interests include:

• International Relations and Comparative Politics
• Middle East and North Africa: Comparative Democratization
• Muslim World: Islamic Activism, Religion and Politics
• Intellectual and Cultural Exchange between the Middle East/Muslim World and the West
• Muslim Women's Contribution to Muslim Legal Thought (Fiqh)

Her scholarly work examines the complex relationships between Islamic legal thought, modernity, and political systems, with particular attention to concepts of public welfare (maslaha) and the end goals of Sharia (maqasid). Dr. Abdelkader's research contributes to broader conversations about democratization processes in Muslim-majority countries and the compatibility of Islamic thought with contemporary political systems.

Dr. Abdelkader has received recognition for her scholarly contributions, including:

• Best Teacher Award (1990)
• "Advancing Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work Seed Grant" (2011) from UML
• Invitations to serve on editorial boards and as a reviewer for academic publishers
• Invitations to present at prestigious institutions including Yale University

As an academic leader, Dr. Abdelkader has played key roles in developing academic programs at UMass Lowell, including serving on founding committees for the Global Studies PhD Program, the MA/MS degree program in Security Studies, and the Peace and Conflict Studies BA/MA program. She also serves as faculty advisor to the Muslim Student Association and is an associate member of the Center for Women and Work. Her intellectual property includes copyrighted works such as "The Anti-Enlightenment Democrats" and "Social Justice in Islam."