Tribune News Network
Doha
Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) will advance scholarly discourses on critical global issues with the launch of the Hiwar Scholars Seminar.
The programme will feature a series of weekly discussions in its 2024-25 programme, moderated by faculty and researchers from Northwestern Qatar. It will bring together voices from the university’s Journalism and Strategic Communication Programme, Communication Programme, and Liberal Arts Programme, as well as guest speakers from across Northwestern University, Education City, and the global academic community.
This seminar series is designed to engage the entire Northwestern Qatar community—faculty, students, and staff—in meaningful conversations on a wide range of topics, from journalism to geopolitics. It will also serve as a platform to showcase the breadth and depth of the university’s research output, highlighting the diverse scholarly contributions of its faculty.
“The Hiwar Scholars Seminar is a vital initiative that not only enriches our community’s academic life but also reflects our dedication to excellence in scholarship and our commitment to fostering a vibrant, intellectually engaged community,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “By bringing together a range of voices and perspectives, this seminar series will contribute to the dynamic exchange of ideas that is central to our mission.”
The Hiwar Scholars Seminar is among many community initiatives focused on promoting intellectual discourses on pressing issues, advancing and showcasing community scholarship, and prompting Global South scholarship, all while contributing to the vibrant scholarly life at Northwestern Qatar.
Fall 2024 seminar lineup:
Internet Cultures of the Global South by Sulafa Zidani, assistant professor at Northwestern University; moderated by Heather Jaber, assistant professor in the Communication Programme (Date: September 8).
The Netflix Paradox in the Middle East by Joe F. Khalil, professor at Northwestern Qatar; moderated by Dana Atrach, assistant professor in the Communication Programme. (Date: September 15).
Climate and Sustainability Reporting in Africa: The Role of the Media by Damilola S. Olawuyi, professor and associate dean for research at the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University; moderated by James Hodapp, associate professor in the Liberal Arts Programme and chair of the Africana Minor Committee at Northwestern Qatar (Date: September 22).
Can the Students Speak? US News Coverage of the Gaza Protests by William Youmans, visiting associate professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication programme; moderated by Ibrahim N. Abusharif, associate professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication programme (Date: September 29).
Multilateralism from the Margins: Mapping Challenges, Contestations and Prospects for Cooperation and Solidarity in Global Interactions by Security in Context Network; moderated by Sami Hermez, associate professor and director of the Liberal Arts Programme (Date: October 6).
Fish, Water, Salt: Wetland Geographies and the History of Energy Transitions in South India c. 1930-1970 by Aditya Ramesh, assistant professor at the University of Washington; moderated by Anto Mohsin, assistant professor in the Liberal Arts Programme (Date: October 20).
Teaching Media Literacy on Israel-Palestine by Marda Dunsky, assistant professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication Programme; moderated by Ibrahim Abusharif, associate professor in the Journalism and Strategic Communication Programme (Date: October 27).
Choreographing Truth: Blurring the Lines Between Fiction and Nonfiction in Filmmaking by João Queiroga, assistant professor in the Communication Programme; moderated by Rana Kazkaz, associate professor, director of the Communication Programme, and chair of the Film & Design Minor Committee at Northwestern Qatar (Date: November 3).
