About us
The MENARG is a multidisciplinary research group housed within the Department of Conflict and Development Studies. MENARG is primarily dedicated to the production of knowledge about - and critical insight into - the politics, society, and economy of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. Affiliated researchers are also concerned with issues and phenomena that link the MENA to Europe and the global world order: neoliberalism.
Main goals
- The pursuit of theoretically informed and methodologically rigorous inquiry into the forces shaping politics, economy, and society in the contemporary Arabo-Islamic world.
- Advancing knowledge about, and understanding of, the social and political challenges faced and posed by Muslim communities in Europe.
- Promoting scholarly publication of research related to these themes, both through MENARG sponsored publications, and via the contributions of MENARG affiliated researchers to the scientific literature.
- The translation of specialist knowledge and theoretical insight into practical policy recommendations, as well as into policy tools for governmental and non-governmental organizations.
- The design of courses within the social sciences curriculum of Ghent University, and the development of educational materials and programs for the general public.
- Promoting more informed public understanding of salient issues through public seminars, speaking engagements, and contributions to the media.
- Strengthening individual and institutional capacities for political and social research into the MENA region.