Professors at Work

AUB Global Health Institute Founding Director Dr Shadi Saleh reviews how the institute works to bring together multiple disciplines on campus to improve people's health in the region and around the world, using technology, policy reviews, training, and innovation. When the institute provides a platform that brings together a computer scientist, public health physicians, nutritionist, and engineer, they create new systems and products that serve citizens, refugees, and many others in a way that none of them could do alone.

Dr. Nasser Yassin, Associate Professor of Policy and Planning at the Health Management & Policy Department at the American University of Beirut (AUB), led a research team of 40 scholars who analyzed 100 cases of civil society advocacy for policy changes in 10 Arab countries. He explains why most policy advocacy by NGOs and civil society groups fails, and what are the keys to success (hint: perseverance, research, and collaboration).

Dr. Mona Fawaz, Professor in Urban Studies and Planning and the Coordinator of AUB's Graduate Programs in Urban Planning and Design, explains why AUB faculty and students immediately went to the port region immediately after the August explosion and how they engage with the devastated communities, giving life to their concept of an inclusive city that allows low- and medium-income citizens to take part in shaping their cities.

Dr Nadim Farajallah founded and has directed the Climate Change & Environment Program at AUB's Issam Fares Institute since 2008. He explains his research findings on how climate change will impact key sectors of life and economy in Lebanon, what concerns citizens most, and how local governance can play a critical role in minimizing future threats.

Dr. Rabi Mohtar, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. explains how 56 AUB research scientists in the university's biggest collaboration work together to understand and promote linkages among water, food, energy, and health systems for a sustainable Middle East. 

Sawsan Abdulrahim, explains the findings of a pilot research study on early marriage among Syrian refugee girls in Lebanon, which unexpectedly revealed significant mental health issues in the community. Conclusion: young girls must be seen as agents of positive change and not only as vulnerable and helpless beings.

Dr. Aram Yeretzian researches innovative and environmentally friendly building and urban designs that save energy and reduce pollution.

AUB has pioneered several kinds of community development projects managed by students and faculty, focusing on sustainable and high-impact interventions in marginalized areas, including poor rural and urban communities and refugee camps and settlements. Dr Shibli explains how they have overcome communities' suspicion about such external interventions -- by identifying with the local community the work to be done, staying engaged for years, and implementing projects that improve people's lives.

Political Science professor Carmen Geha has studied political power-sharing and women's representation across the Arab region, and weighs the entrenched power elite's vested interests against the socio-economic and political dignity demands that drive the ongoing Arab protests. "Women's empowerment" efforts have especially failed to increase women in public offices, which she believes requires political parties that champion this goal. This would succeed if we are to judge by the intense and deep role of women and girls in the protests across the region.

Dr. Charlotte Karam is a tenured Associate Professor at the Olayan School of Business (AUB), where she served as the Associate Dean of Programs and the Founding Director of the Center of Inclusive Business and Leadership for Women. She explains why she and her colleagues across disciplines at AUB have surveyed inclusive employment for women in 11 Arab countries, and what their KIP Index results reveal. She outlines why structural reforms are needed to promote dignified work for all, while we reclaim knowledge about our own societies and measure progress according to our indigenous benchmarks.