Dr Eiman Mustafawi and Dr Mazen Hasna at the conference.
The Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Qatar University’s College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) organised the first international conference on research in the field of humanities and social sciences in Qatar and the Gulf.
Themed “State-of-the-Art Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences for Qatar and the Arab Gulf”, the two-day conference aimed to promote collaborative interdisciplinary research projects in humanities and social sciences within QU, and to encourage young researchers to conduct innovative and cutting-edge research in their field of study.
Scholars at the conference addressed topics related to the current research trends in the field of humanities and social sciences. They were acclaimed historian of Middle East and Islamic History at Columbia University Prof Richard Bulliet, Ryerson University’s associate professor in the History of Science and Technology Dr Ingrid Hehmeyer, University of Vienna’s Professor of Social Anthropology and director of the Institute for Social Anthropology at the Austrian Academy Dr Andre Gingrich, Leadership Chair in Language at the University of Leeds and Fellow of the British Academy Dr Janet C E Watson, and Professor of International Affairs and Head of the International Affairs Department at Bush School of Government and Public Service in Texas A&M University Dr F Gregory Gause.
The conference agenda comprised sessions in the form of seminars and workshops focused on a wide range of topics related to research in humanities and social sciences disciplines such as linguistics, archaeology, history of science, anthropology, sociology, history, political science, international affairs, and Arabic language. Each student had the opportunity to have a face-to-face discussion with the speakers at the conference, and get an insight on the discipline of his interest.
Attendees included QU vice president and chief academic officer Dr Mazen Hasna, CAS dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi, CHSS director Dr Kaltham al-Ghanim, CAS associate deans Dr Hassan Abdulaziz (academic affairs), Dr Khalifa Hazaa (outreach and engagement), and Dr Steven Wright (planning and quality assurance), as well as several CAS faculty and students.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Hasna hoped that the deliberations at the event will enhance the ability of QU faculty to design projects that contribute to the development pillars identified in Qatar National Vision 2030 and QU Research Strategy.
He also pointed at the achievements of the centre and its significant contribution to enhancing the research potential of faculty through the establishment of research focus groups which contribute to conducting interdisciplinary research proposals, organising workshops and seminars, and developing collaborations with local and international
institutions.
Dr Mustafawi said the conference provided a platform to introduce new research in the field of humanities and social sciences, and drew attention to many issues which may affect the research process and the methods adopted by researchers when studying social
phenomena in the region.
“It was an excellent opportunity for our graduate and undergraduate students to meet scholars from various fields and strengthen the research skills they need in their future
professional life.”
