Dr Feras Alkabani

Tree by Dania Al Kabbani © Artwork courtesy of Syrian-American architect and artist, Dania Al Kabbani

Brain roots by Dania Al Kabbani © Artwork courtesy of Syrian-American architect and artist, Dania Al Kabbani

Collaboration by Dania Al Kabbani © Artwork courtesy of Syrian-American architect and artist, Dania Al Kabbani

Dr Feras Alkabani joins fellow SARN (Syrian Academics and Researchers’ Network) UK co-founders to discuss the Network’s journey, scope and latest updates on the third episode of the Education, Peace and Politics (EPP)’s Podcast Series, a British Academy-funded project. 

In the Podcast, Dr Alkabani reflects on SARN’s aims and objectives and elaborates on the strategic partnerships secured through his AHRC grant, which is funding the initial 18-month phase of the Network’s research activities and collaboration with its external partners and stakeholders, including the Syrian Arts and Culture Festival (SACF) and the British Society of Middle Eastern Studies (BRSIMES), which has recently issued a press release announcing its partnership with SARN. 

Feras explained, “We have been able to bring together multiple strategic players, partners, and individuals to help create a vital space for Syrian academics and researchers and those specialising in Syria Studies to collaborate with one another and seek opportunities with relevant stakeholders. At the heart of SARN’s founding principle is the desire to bridge the gap between academia and the real world by enabling scholars, artists, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate and translate their work into projects with real impact, situating Syrian voices at the heart of the discourse on Syria academically, culturally and politically.”

SARN’s first workshop, “Show and Tell”, is scheduled to take place at Selwyn College (University of Cambridge) on Friday, 24 May 2024. The event will bring together 22 UK-based Syrian academics and artists to present their work and explore synergies for collaboration under a variety of themes, including “Collective Action and Resilience”, “Diasporic Identities”, “Gender and Sexuality”, “Silenced Achieves”, “Peace Building and Transitional Justice” and “Mental Health”. 

Dr Alkabani explained, “From day one, we have been very keen on including artists in our academic discussions. We believe in the role of art in expressing deeply human messages and shedding light on issues traditional academic methodologies often miss. We want SARN to become the nexus of rigorous interdisciplinary academic research and innovative artistic creation, which will offer fresh perspectives on topical issues, extending the horizon of collaboration globally in the next phase of the Network’s activities. I was still a doctoral researcher at Sussex when the war erupted in Syria; I recall how helpless I felt at the time. But now, I have a renewed sense of hope and positive energy, and I am proud to place Sussex – my adopted home – at the heart of this exciting new initiative, which has the potential to affect positive change in the real world.”

SARN’s First International Conference is scheduled to take place at the University of Sussex on 18-19 September 2025. The 2-day Conference, which is sponsored by Dr Alkabani’s AHRC grant, the Middle East and North Africa Centre at Sussex (MENACS) and the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES), will bring together Syrian and global academics presenting the latest research on Syrian culture, history and politics. 

Find out more about SARN’s story in this Podcast; Dania Al Kabbani’s “Black & White” art collection can be viewed here.

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