MESA Files Amicus Brief in Harvard Lawsuit Challenging Federal Funding Cuts
MESA has filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Harvard University in its federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s funding cuts.
- Press Releases
Federal Court Says First Amendment Bars Government From Deporting Students and Faculty on Basis of Political Viewpoint, Says Challenge to Trump Policy Can Go Forward
A federal judge has ruled that the case of AAUP v. Rubio can move forward. The lawsuit alleges that the administration’s ideological-deportation policy violates the First Amendment by targeting constitutionally protected speech that Americans have a right to hear and engage with.
Knight Institute Asks Court to Block Trump Policy of Deporting Students and Faculty for Lawful Speech: AAUP and Middle East Studies Association say policy clearly violates the First Amendment
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) today filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in their lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from carrying out large-scale arrests, detentions, and deportations of noncitizen students and faculty members who participate in pro-Palestinian protests and other protected First Amendment activities.
MESA, AAUP, and Knight Institute file lawsuit over Trump policy of arresting and threatening deportation for lawful speech
The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) today filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from carrying out large-scale arrests, detentions, and deportations of noncitizen students and faculty members who participate in pro-Palestinian protests and other protected First Amendment activities.
MESA Announces new Academic Freedom Initiative
MESA’s Academic Freedom Initiative will support data collection and analysis as well as dissemination of findings regarding academic freedom in the context of scholarship and teaching in Middle East studies.
MESA Moves DC Headquarters to CCAS at Georgetown University
Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies Welcomes the MESA Secretariat
Middle East Scholars Announce 2023 Academic Freedom Award Recipient
The 2023 MESA Academic Freedom Award has been goes to Professor Abduljalil Al-Singace for his unwavering courage and steadfastness in the face of more than a decade of repression and torture
MESA Announces 2023 Award Recipients
On November 3, 2023, MESA awarded 21 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, and service.
Middle East Scholars Announce 2022 Academic Freedom Award Recipients
The 2022 MESA Academic Freedom Award has been given to 6 Palestinian NGOs — Addameer, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International - Palestine, Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees — for their decades-long pursuit of academic freedom, courageous resilience, and contributions to the field of Middle East Studies.
MESA Announces 2022 Award Recipients
On December 2, 2022, MESA awarded 17 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, and service, and to 6 Palestinian NGO's for their decades-long pursuit of academic freedom, courageous resilience, and contributions to the field of Middle East Studies.
Middle East Scholars Vote to Endorse BDS
The membership of MESA has voted in favor of a resolution endorsing the Palestinian call for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel as a way to hold the government accountable for ongoing human rights violations. MESA’s Board of Directors will implement it in a manner consistent with MESA’s bylaws as well as relevant U.S. federal, state, and local laws. The resolution states that the boycott will not target individual students or scholars, and reiterates the right of individual MESA members to choose whether or not they wish to participate in an academic boycott of Israeli institutions.
Middle East Scholars give 2021 Academic Freedom Award to the faculty, students, and alumni of Boğaziçi University
The 2021 MESA Academic Freedom Award has been given to the student and faculty protest movement at Boğaziçi University.
MESA Announces 2021 Award Recipients
On December 1, 2021, MESA awarded 20 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, and service, and to faculty, students, and alumni of Boğaziçi University for defending academic freedom
2020 Academic Freedom Award Goes to Dr. Laila Soueif of Cairo University
Fourteen individuals in nine categories including the Academic Freedom Award, Mentoring, Service, and three book awards, were honored at MESA's 2020 Awards Ceremony held October 11, 2020,
MESA Announces 2020 Award Recipients
MESA awarded 14 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, service, and defending academic freedom on October 11, 2020.
Press Release: MESA virtual conference to take place October 5-17 2020
Press release regarding MESA's first virtual conference (#MESA2020), which will take place live October 5-17, 2020.
Middle East Scholars Give 2019 Academic Freedom Award to Homa Hoodfar
The 2019 MESA Academic Freedom Award has been given to Canadian anthropologist Dr. Homa Hoodfar of Concordia University.
Press release concerning the protection of academic freedom
At its 53rd annual meeting in New Orleans, MESA's Board of Directors issued a statement affirming the protection of academic freedoms.
Press Release on foreign academics working restrictions in Palestine
MESA and other scholarly organizations have written to Israeli authorities regarding procedures for visas and work permits for international academics working in Palestine.
Press Release on new ruling in Muslim Ban Case, IRAP v. Trump
A federal court in Maryland has rejected the Trump administration’s bid to outright dismiss IRAP v. Trump, a lawsuit challenging the president’s Muslim ban executive order that bars people from select Muslim-majority countries from traveling to the United States.
Middle East Scholars Give Academic Freedom Award to Saudi Scholar, Writer, and Women’s Rights Advocate, Dr. Hatoon Ajwad Al Fassi
2018 MESA Academic Freedom Award given to Saudi scholar, writer, and women's rights advocate, Dr. Hatoon Ajwad Al Fassi
MESA Announces 2018 Award Recipients
MESA awarded 12 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, service, and defending academic freedom on November 16, 2018.
Press Release on Affirmation of Commitment to Fight Antisemitism as a Form of Racism
At its 52nd annual meeting in San Antonio, MESA's Board of Directors issued a statement affirming commitment to fight Antisemitism as a form of racism.
Press Release on Deteriorating Security Conditions for Researchers in the United Arab Emirates
At its 52nd annual meeting, MESA's Board of Directors issued a statement of concern on the deteriorating security conditions for researchers in the United Arab Emirates.
Press Release on Creation of Resource Guide to Counteract Dangerous Risk of Canary Mission Website
Press release from MESA’s Committee on Academic Freedom: "Committee on Academic Freedom Shines Light on Secretive Website that Defames Students; Offers Resource for College Leaders to Take Action
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