Robin Schmahl

Robin Schmahl is a Research Fellow at the Leibniz Center for Modern Oriental Studies (ZMO) in Berlin, where he works on the "Historicity of Democracy in the Arab and Muslim World" (HISDEMAB) project since 2020. His research focuses on the political history of the Arab world, particularly examining deliberative systems and proto-democratic structures during historical periods of European imperialism in the Middle East.

His educational background includes:

• PhD Candidate at Freie Universität Berlin (since 2020)
• M.A. in MENA Studies with a focus on International Relations, Arabic and Islamic Studies at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (2017-2020)
• Supplementary B.A. Program in Political Science and History with a Focus on International Relations and Israel Studies at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (2018-2020)
• B.A. in MENA Studies and Philosophy with a Focus on Political Philosophy in the Arab and Muslim World at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (2013-2017)
• Intensive Language Courses in Arabic (MSA, ECA) at Arabeya Arabic Language Center and Ahlan World, Cairo (2015, 2016, 2018)

Robin Schmahl's research interests span multiple interconnected fields within Middle Eastern studies and political science. His primary focus is on the historical development of democratic institutions and political thought in the Arab and Muslim world, particularly examining how European imperialism shaped political systems in the region. His work critically engages with concepts of legitimacy, human rights frameworks in Islamic contexts, and the complex relationship between religious law and modern governance. Schmahl also explores contemporary political developments in Israel and Palestine, analyzing constitutional transformations and historical narratives. His linguistic expertise in Arabic, German, English, French, and several other languages enables him to work directly with primary sources across multiple historical periods and cultural contexts.

Schmahl's recent publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining the intersection of political theory, historical analysis, and contemporary Middle Eastern politics. His work frequently addresses questions of legitimacy, human rights frameworks within Islamic contexts, and the historical roots of modern political institutions in the region. A notable thematic thread throughout his publications is the critical examination of Western narratives about democracy and modernity in the Middle East, offering alternative historical perspectives that challenge Eurocentric interpretations. His research methodology combines textual analysis of primary historical documents with contemporary political theory, creating a bridge between historical scholarship and current political debates.

Robin Schmahl has presented his research at various academic venues, including a presentation on "Communities of Knowledge: Project Demo" at the Virtual Forum: Jews, Christians, and Muslims as Colleagues and Collaborators in the Abbasid Near East at LMU Munich (2020), and a talk on "The Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam" at the Workshop: Communities, Clashes and Cohabitations at LMU Munich (2019). He has also contributed to the "The Greater European Talks" podcast series, demonstrating his commitment to public scholarship and engagement beyond traditional academic circles.

Robin Schmahl is actively involved in several academic and professional organizations:

• Young Forum of the Foreign Affairs Association, Germany (Boardmember since 2019, Member since 2017)
• Atlantic Treaty Association [ATA] and Youth Atlantic Treaty Association [YATA] (Member since 2019)
• Deutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft Vorderer Orient [DAVO] (Member since 2019)
• Institute for a Greater Europe (Contributor since 2019)
• German Free Democratic Party [FDP] and Young Liberals [JuLis] (Member since 2019)
• Model United Nations Association, Munich [MUNAM] (Member and Delegate since 2017)
• Munich Debating Society (Member since 2016)
• Society of Friends of Islamic Art and Culture, Munich (Member since 2015)

His current doctoral research project "A Tale of Two Narratives: Deliberative Systems in Egypt during the French Military Campaign of 1798-1801 and the Inception of the Modern Middle East" represents a significant contribution to understanding the historical roots of political institutions in the region, challenging dominant narratives about the introduction of democratic structures through European colonialism.