Research
This page showcases our research publications: case studies, long-form articles, and policy pieces that highlight cultural heritage, history, technology, and political relations. In-depth research in an agile format offers a space to share findings, test ideas, and contribute to conversations in the field, bridging the gap between quick commentary and formal academic publishing.
Check out our most recent publications below, and explore our researchers' profiles to discover their work.
Close to the Portuguese capital Lisbon, and to the east of it, the city of Santarém, known in Arabic as Shantarin, is located on a high hill overlooking the banks of the Taga River. The city has had a prominent Islamic presence for nearly four centuries, as it was a fortified military center that contributed to the military expansions in the Andalusian west.
Maritime cultural engagement, broadly defined as the ways in which societies interact with, perceive, and utilize the sea, has become a prominent field of inquiry in heritage and coastal studies. While many Mediterranean and Atlantic communities demonstrate deeply rooted maritime traditions, the Turkish Black Sea coast presents a more ambiguous case.
I thought for a long time about which city to begin my series of articles on the West of Al-Andalus. I found no place more suitable than the first city I lived in Portugal, as a student at its historic university. Founded in 1290 on the ruins of an Andalusian palace, this was an era when Islamic rule was still present in parts of the Iberian Peninsula. It was my first stop to discover Portugal and learn about its history, culture, and people.
The name of Al-Andalus immediately evokes the powerful Islamic presence that dominated the Iberian Peninsula for centuries. Historically, the term was used to describe the entire peninsula, from the lands of the Normans in the west to the "Sea of Darkness" - the Atlantic Ocean - which medieval Islamic geographers considered the end of the known world.
Policy
The Increasing Role of Cultural Diplomacy in EU-Gulf Relations
Increasingly central to the foreign policy agendas of the EU and the GCC, cultural diplomacy has fostered a rapprochement between the two regions through academic, artistic and intercultural exchanges. In recent decades, joint initiatives in education, cultural heritage, and the arts have strengthened dialogue and cooperation. However, despite these advancements, the full potential of cultural diplomacy remains partially untapped. This white paper presents and discusses the ample opportunities that exist for a more structured and strategic integration of cultural diplomacy to enhance bilateral relations and regional security.
