The Lab in brief
The Social Sciences Lab MENA is an independent, non-governmental, and non-partisan research institution based in the European Union, dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary social sciences research focused on the Middle East and North Africa region. The Lab serves as a global platform connecting scholars, researchers, and institutions interested in MENA studies, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and high-quality research grounded in diverse perspectives and strong research ethics.
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At its core, the Lab prioritizes researchers by empowering scholars to initiate and lead research aligned with their own academic interests rather than imposing institutional research agendas. Through its international network, the Lab promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between senior and junior scholars, facilitating research partnerships, mentorship, and academic mobility opportunities. The Lab also acts as a funding and research support hub, assisting members in preparing competitive applications for major European funding schemes such as ERC, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and similar programs.
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In addition, the Lab provides institutional support, including field research management and research implementation services for organizations working in or on the MENA region, using its regional expertise and networks. Through its programs; Scholars Incubator program, MENA Junior Fellowship, Non-MENA Visitor Program, and publications such as the MENA Yearbook of Social Sciences, and partnerships, the Lab advances research capacity and academic collaboration between Europe, the MENA region, and the global scholarly community.
Our Goals
Connecting worldwide scholars interested in MENA studies
Incubating independent and early career scholars from MENA region
Supporting access to data and
research about MENA
Establishing an
interdisciplinary space
Hosting scholars from outside
the MENA region
Offering research assistance for organizations and individuals including field research management
Research Focus
The Social Sciences Lab - MENA is taking as research priority to investigate on pertinence issues MENA region are facing today which most of is connected but not limited to the following research areas: Political science, law, economic, sociology and history. But we are also supporting research initiatives on other social sciences branches, which all are included in our programs and activities based on the demands of scholars.
Areas of Research
Political Science
MENA politics, political theory, political behavior, comparative politics, international relations, political participation, democracy, human rights, migration, security, public policies, conflicts managements, gender, religion, etc.
Law
Constitutions, Islamic law, domestic laws, comparative law, etc.
Economics
Development, growth, investment, cooperation, monetary and fiscal economics, debt management, etc.
Sociology
Social movements, historical sociology, sociology of knowledge, criminology, sociology of religion, sociology of economy, rural sociology, urban sociology, political sociology, sociology of demography, sociology of law, industrial sociology, etc.
History
MENA contemporary history, Islamic civilization, colonial studies, etc.
Others
Include all other social sciences branches, as for example psychology, anthropology, geography, education, etc.