Maryam Mohamed Alsada, PhD’s Post

This semester at Georgetown University in Qatar, I had the pleasure of co-teaching 'Women as Changemakers' with Dean Christine Schiwietz, Ph.D, Dean Morgan Fisher, Ph.D. and Sarah Holt. 'Women as Changemakers' is an experiential learning program that connects students from Georgetown University in Qatar to both the wider Georgetown University network, as well as women leaders in Washington, D.C. This semester, the rich 'Women as Changemakers' itinerary included visits to The World Bank, Georgetown University Center for Social Justice, Georgetown University Women's Center, and Georgetown University Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics. During these visits, students engaged with the following core themes: 'Women and Leadership: Local and Global Changemakers,' 'Gender and Education,' and 'Women, Culture, and Politics.' My academic contribution to the program was an engagement with the theme 'Creating Intercultural Connections.' As an #anthropologist and a #historian of the Middle East, I gave a lecture on the history of women changemakers in the Arabian littoral of the Gulf, focusing on the pearl-trade era and the transition to the oil economy. I then chaired a roundtable discussion in which I encouraged students to personalize their conceptual understandings of 'women as changemakers' to their identified cultures (which are derived from both inherited and adopted communities). I am thankful to the wonderful team of women who designed and operated this program, as well as the bright and motivated students who took advantage of the many opportunities to explore and learn. I look forward to attending the public presentations of the students' e-portfolios, in which they will reflect on these experiences .

مبارك عليكم الشهر 🌙 اللهم لك الحمد على البلاغ اللهم بارك لنا في #رمضان وأعنّا جميعاً على صيامه وقيامه وبلغنا ليلة القدر وتقبله منا جميعاً وانت راضٍ عنا 🤲🏻

I am sorry to hear about the passing of Professor Amira Sonbol, who I first met as an undergraduate student at Georgetown University in Qatar. Professor Sonbol was a renowned scholar whose work has a lasting impact on the field of Middle Eastern Studies. Her dedication to advancing our understanding of gender, family, and society in the region was groundbreaking, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scholars. رحمك الله يا معلمتي وملهمتي إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

Thank you to peter martin and the rest of the Qatar Teaching and Learning Forum - which is supported by Qatar Foundation Office of Higher Education - for organizing (and inviting me to) “بادر / Badir.” At this participatory gathering, Education City students and faculty spent the afternoon sharing stories and exchanging ideas about the future of teaching and learning.

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing my academic and professional experiences following graduation from Georgetown University in Qatar at a wonderfully organized Alumni/Student networking event. I always enjoy catching up with fellow alumni and meeting new Hoyas! Events such as these sustain the Georgetown University value of “People for Others.” Thank you to Thanos Sardellis and the Alumni Relations team for the time and energy you put into making this event happen! I look forward to all the exciting alumni initiatives that you have in store. #HoyaSaxa