The Association of Middle East Children and Youth Studies is a private, non-profit, international association for scholars with an interest in the study of children and youth in the Middle East, North Africa and their diasporic communities. Through interdisciplinary programs, publications, and services, AMECYS promotes innovative scholarship, facilitates global academic exchange, and enhances public understanding about and by Middle Eastern and North African children and youth in diverse times and places from any disciplinary and methodological approach.
President: Yael Warshel
General Email: amecystudies@gmail.com
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular: $20
Student: $10
Launched in 2019, the Assyrian Studies Association promotes the academic study of the Assyrian heritage through supporting research, teaching, and intellectual collaboration among scholars in fields that include history, archaeology, cultural heritage, religion, language, literary studies, social sciences, arts and architecture, law among others. Thus, bridging fields that have traditionally dabbled with Assyrian subjects from the ancient to the modern world. ASA aims to highlight work on Assyrians in these fields and beyond, bringing them into concert with each other in order to illustrate a vibrant, robust, and authentic experience of Assyro-Mesopotamian heritage. ASA builds connections between academic institutions and scholars to strengthen the academic study of this venerable culture throughout North America and the world.
President: Helen Malko
Executive Director: Alexandra Lazar
Secretary: Sargon Donabed
General Email: info@assyrianstudiesassociation.org
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular: $100
Student: $50
Institutional: $2,000
The Center for Arabic Study Abroad was established in 1967 to offer advanced Arabic language and culture training to members of the academic community-at-large who represent various disciplines in the area of Middle Eastern studies. CASA represents a consortium of thirty-four universities in the US in addition to the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Qasid Arabic Institute in Amman, Jordan where CASA’s training sites are located.
CASA is represented by a Consortium of American universities and colleges who serve a vital role in directing various academic, financial and administrative aspects of the CASA programs. CASA receives its primary funding from the United States Department of Education, under the Fulbright-Hays--Group Projects Abroad Program. In addition, CASA is supported by two endowments from the Ford and Mellon foundations when the program is able to send students to Cairo.
Director (U.S.): Sonia Shiri
Program Coordinator (U.S.): Sarah Stoll
General Email: CASA@email.arizona.edu
The Historians of Islamic Art Association is a private, non-profit, non-political organization whose purpose is to promote the study and teaching of the art, architecture and archaeology of Islamic cultures and to facilitate communication and cooperation among those engaged in scholarly and other professional activities related to these fields.
HIAA holds a periodic majlis or meeting of its members, in conjunction with meetings of the College Art Association (CAA) or MESA, as well as a biennial symposium. To encourage scholarly contributions to the fields of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology, particularly by our junior members, HIAA also awards various competitive prizes: the Margaret B. Ševčenko Prize in Islamic Art and Culture, for the best unpublished article written by a junior scholar; and the Grabar Grants and Fellowships, a new program, supported by the Oleg Grabar Memorial Fund, intended to further research and assist participation in scholarly meetings.
President: Kishwar Rizvi
Secretary: Emily Neumeier
General Email: historiansofislamicart@gmail.com
Membership - Annual Dues
NEW-JOIN HIAA WITHOUT CHARGE FOR A YEAR!
In an effort to broaden our membership and mindful of the financial hardships faced by scholars and students of Islamic art, HIAA now offers free membership for a year. To start a free membership, please fill out this form.
Regular: $45
Student: $25
Institutional: $105
Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, nongovernmental human rights organization made up of roughly 400 staff members around the globe. Its staff consists of human rights professionals including country experts, lawyers, journalists, and academics of diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Established in 1978, Human Rights Watch is known for its accurate fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of media, and targeted advocacy, often in partnership with local human rights groups. Each year, Human Rights Watch publishes more than 100 reports and briefings on human rights conditions in some 90 countries, generating extensive coverage in local and international media. With the leverage this brings, Human Rights Watch meets with governments, the United Nations, regional groups like the African Union and the European Union, financial institutions, and corporations to press for changes in policy and practice that promote human rights and justice around the world.
The Kurdish Studies Association is a non-profit organization composed of scholars and other individuals interested in Kurdish studies. It was founded in 2000 by a small group of faculty members to: (1) encourage scholarly research and writing on Kurdistan and Kurdish politics, culture, and society; (2) facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among scholars and others sharing interest in these issues; and (3) foster a wider and better-informed understanding of this important region and people of the Middle East. Currently, it has approximately 125 members, mostly faculty members, librarians, and doctoral students from more than 20 different countries. KSA is run by a committee of four officers (President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, and Treasurer) and an executive board. KSA organizes annual meetings (in conjunction with the larger Middle East Studies Association), attracting scholars and researchers from all over the world to present research papers on the Kurds and Kurdistan.
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular: $30
Student: $15
Middle East Critique promotes an academic and critical examination of the history and contemporary political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of Middle Eastern countries. The journal actively engages theoretical and empirical studies and by so doing promotes a critical understanding of the complex nature of ideas, values, social configurations, and material realities of Middle Eastern societies. Middle East Critique provides a forum for the interdisciplinary examination of diverse issues based on solid research and critical readings of developments in the Middle East.
For information regarding submission of manuscripts contact: Critique, MB 211, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104-1284 (202-342-3927 fax; critique@gw.hamline.edu).
Editor: Eric Hooglund
Subscription Rates
Individuals (Print Only): $266
Institutions (Online Only): $874
Institutions (Print & Online): $1,028
The Middle East Economic Association (MEEA) is a private, non-profit, non-political organization of scholars interested in the study of the economies and economics of the Middle East. The geographical term "Middle East" is used in its widest usage. Its objectives shall be:
- promotion of high standard scholarship,
- facilitation of communication among scholars through meetings and publications, and
- promotion of cooperation among persons and organizations committed to the objectives of MEEA.
President: Wassim Shahin
Executive Secretary: Rahel Schomaker
Membership - Annual Dues: Members should pay membership dues annually to maintain their membership. The membership dues are based on region of residence (not birth). There are two regions of residence as follows:
- Region A: Countries that are classified as “high income” by the World Bank. The list can be found here: http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/site-content/CLASS.xls It includes North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
- Region B: All other countries (not included in Region A.)
- Those who reside in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen are exempted from paying membership dues.
Regular members residing in region A: $30
Student members residing in region A: $20
Regular members residing in region B: $15
Student members residing in region B: $10
The Middle East Librarians Association was established in November 1972 at the sixth annual meeting of MESA (Middle East Studies Association), by 17 librarians (our “founding fathers and mothers”). Before this date there had indeed been specialist librarians whose principal concern was the development of library collections in support of research and teaching. But these 17 pioneers saw, five years after the establishment of MESA, that professionals devoted to the development of library collections for study and teaching about the Middle East needed to share information among themselves.
Soon after that date the first issue of MELA Notes, the association’s professional journal, was published. In later years, MELA has also established awards to recognize professional achievement over a lifetime and to support the development of young professionals interested in a career in Middle East librarianship. MELA now consists of approximately seventy members representing over 50 institutions from all over the world. MELA’s annual meeting takes place in conjunction with MESA, generally two days before, allowing MELA members who are also members of MESA to attend the annual meeting.
President: Anaïs Salamon
Secretary: William Kopycki
Membership - Annual Dues
Individual/Institutional/Foreign Members: $50
Lifetime Membership: $600
The Middle East Materials Project preserves collections in digital and microform format of unique, rare, hard to obtain, and often expensive research material for Middle East studies. It also preserves deteriorating printed and manuscript scholarly materials. The geographic scope of MEMP coverage includes Arab countries, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and related areas not covered by other cooperative materials projects.
Since its inception in 1987, MEMP has acquired more than 100 newspaper titles in Arabic, Turkish, and English, including a large collection of Sudanese and Turkish papers. Other projects include the microfilming of a large pamphlet file of materials on the Middle East at the Library of Congress and the microfilming of the Cosro Chaqeri Collection of Iranian Left-wing Materials.
Chair: Guy Burak
General Questions can be directed to: Samantha Abrams
Membership - Annual Dues: Membership in MEMP is open to any institution or nonprofit organization maintaining a library and whose interests coincide with the project.
Members in North America: $750
Members outside of North America: $500
Middle East Medievalists is an international professional non-profit association of scholars interested in the study of the medieval Middle East, expansively defined to include all geographies with prominent Muslim political, religious, or social presences, at some point between the rough parameters of 500-1500 CE.
MEM has two primary goals. The first is to increase the representation of medieval scholarship at scholarly meetings in North America and elsewhere by co-sponsoring panels. The other principal objective of MEM is to foster communication among individuals and organizations with an interest in the study of the medieval Middle East. MEM also hopes, in the future, to advance the study of the medieval Middle East by undertaking such projects as scholar exchanges, conferences, etc.
President: Arezou Azad
Secretary: Jonathan Brack
Membership - Annual Dues
Individual: $40
Institutional: $250
Lifetime: $750
The Middle East Outreach Council is a national network of educators dedicated to disseminating apolitical and nonpartisan information, resources and activities furthering understanding about the Middle East, including the Arab world, Israel, Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. MEOC’s target audience is non-specialists at the K-12 and college levels, although its services are also relevant to broader community needs. We have members around the country. Our services include the Middle East Book Award, an annual travel award for members to attend our annual meeting and workshop, and a member forum.
President: Craig Cangemi
Secretary: Joe Stanik
Membership - Annual Dues
Access Membership: Free
Educator Membership: $10
Outreach Professional: $25
Institutional: $150
The Middle East Research and Information Project was established in 1971 to educate and inform the public about contemporary Middle East affairs. MERIP provides critical, alternative reporting and analysis, focusing on state power, political economy and social hierarchies as well as popular struggles and the role of US policy in the region. MERIP seeks to reach academics, journalists, non-governmental and governmental organizations and informed citizens who want knowledgeable analysis and critical resources about contemporary political developments. Informed by scholarship and research, MERIP is a curated platform for critical analysis and discussion that brings informed perspectives to a broader audience.
A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, MERIP publishes a quarterly print magazine, Middle East Report, as well as frequent articles, updates and educational primers on its website.
Executive Director: Mandy Terc
General Emails: business@merip.org, editor@merip.org, subscriptions@merip.org
Membership – Annual Dues: This year, MERIP has eliminated their longstanding paywall to allow anyone, anywhere to access our content free of charge. Become a donor today and discover the perks of MERIP membership.
Supporter: $50 +
Sustainer: $250 +
Stalwart: $1,000 +
The Ottoman and Turkish Studies Association, founded and incorporated as the Turkish Studies Association in 1971, is a private, non-profit, non-political organization of persons interested in Turkish and Ottoman studies. The objectives of the Association are to promote high standards of scholarship and instruction; to facilitate communication among its members through meetings and written exchanges of information; and to promote international, scholarly cooperation among persons and organizations concerned with Turkish and Ottoman studies.
The Association’s activities include the publication of the Journal with short research articles, reports of meetings and conferences, book reviews and communications from members. The annual meeting of the Association is held each November in conjunction with the Middle East Studies Association convention. Persons interested in Turkish or Ottoman studies are invited to membership.
President: Baki Tezcan
Secretary: Carole Woodall
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular: $50
Joint: $75
Retired/Students: $25
The Institute of International Education (IIE), an independent not-for-profit organization, has participated in the rescue of persecuted scholars since its founding in 1919. In 2002, IIE launched the Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) to formalize its commitment to protecting the lives, voices, and ideas of scholars around the globe. IIE-SRF selects outstanding professors, researchers, and public intellectuals for fellowship support and arranges visiting academic positions with partnering institutions of higher learning and research. Fellowships enable scholars to pursue their academic work in safety and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community. If conditions in the scholars’ home countries improve, scholars may return after their fellowships to make meaningful contributions to their national academies and civil society. If safe return is not possible, scholars may use the fellowship period to identify longer-term opportunities. For more information, see SRF website.
Scholars at Risk protects scholars suffering grave threats to their lives, liberty and well-being by arranging temporary research and teaching positions at institutions in our network as well as by providing advisory and referral services.
The aims of the Society for Armenian Studies are to promote the study of Armenian culture and society, including history, language, literature, and social, political, and economic questions; to facilitate the exchange of scholarly information pertaining to Armenian studies around the world; and to sponsor panels and conferences on Armenian studies. The programs of the Society include publication of a Newsletter on the Society’s activities and on current research on Armenia; publication of the Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies, encouragement, sponsorship and publication of research on all facets of Armenian culture and society; and such other activities as the SAS council may from time to time determine.
President: Bedross Der Matossian
Executive Secretary: Katarina Terzyan
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular: $50
Student/Retired: $25
Supporting: $100
Institutional: $500
The Southeast Regional Middle East and Islamic Studies Society - a professional society for specialist or non-specialist educators and other individuals whose professional activities actively engage the Middle East and Islam. The organization was founded in 1977 to provide scholars in the southeastern United States with an opportunity to meet regularly with colleagues to share research findings and teaching concerns. SERMEISS is an affiliated organization of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA).
The SERMEISS 10-state region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
President: Annie Tracy Samuel
Executive Director: Buket Oztas
Membership - Annual Dues
Full: $25
Associate: $20
Institutional: $200
The Sudans Studies Association is the foremost academic organization of scholars and educators interested in the study of the region from all over the world. Its goal is to promote and foster the research and study of the region, facilitate communication and cooperation among its members, nature new generations of scholars and encourage the publication of matter pertaining to Sudan studies.
The Sudans Studies Association is:
- An independent non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing Sudan Studies as a scientific discipline and profession
- Sponsor and host of an annual meeting that brings scholars from North American and other parts of the world
President: Lako Tongun
President-Elect: Bakry Elmedni
Executive Director: Souad T. Ali
Secretary: Fatima Abdelwahab
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular/Non-Profit: $50
Student: $30
Profit-making bodies: $500
The Syrian Studies Association is an international association organized to encourage and promote research and scholarly understanding of Syria in all periods and in all academic disciplines. The SSA is a non-profit, non-political association affiliated with MESA (The Middle East Studies Association of North America). Their goals are to promote the highest standards of scholarship and instruction, facilitate communication among our members, and to encourage dialogue between Middle Eastern, Western and all scholars of the Middle East. They award several prizes for the best written work on Syria, publish a newsletter about the latest developments and writing in our field, invite one or more Syrian scholars to MESA each year, sponsor academic panels at scholarly conferences, and provide information about how to study Arabic in Syria.
President: Edith Szanto
Membership - Annual Dues
Regular: $25
Student: $10
Institutional: $100