Overview
The NAMEPES Summer School provided an in-depth analysis of EU–MENA (Middle East and North Africa) relations, focusing on geopolitics, international relations, economics, and law. It examined the domestic and foreign policies of key regional actors, highlighting the role of institutions, civil society, political Islam, and nationalism. The MENA region's strategic importance stems from its instability, energy resources, and proximity to Europe.
The macro-themes covered in the editions are:
- Theoretical approach: how to integrate International Relations and Middle East studies-other disciplines and integration with IR when looking at the Middle East.
- Peace and conflict in the MENA region - including Israel Palestine, regional role of Iran, with an additional focus on Yemen and its role over the Red Sea and the commercial routes.
- The EU in the MENA: objectives, tools and challenges-external action/ migration/ normative power vs economic power.
Editions (2021-2024)
The Summer School, which concluded in July 2024 after four editions, was launched in 2021 as part of a Jean Monnet project co-funded by the European Union, which supported the first two editions (2021 and 2022). The third (2023) and fourth (2024) editions were organised in cooperation with the International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS) and were open to a selected group of students from the School of International Studies.
The scientific coordinator of the NAMEPES Summer School was Pejman Abdolmohammadi, Professor at the School of International Studies and a leading expert in Middle Eastern Studies.
Faculty
Over the years, our Summer School has featured distinguished scholars and experts whose work has greatly contributed to advancing knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa. Here are some of the key participants:
Ali M. Ansari
Professor of Modern History, University of St Andrews (UK)
Specializes in Iranian nation-building, social and intellectual history, ideology, and Iran’s relations with the West.
Vincenzo Bove
Professor of Political Science, University of Warwick (UK)
Research focuses on political violence, civil-military relations, and international peacekeeping.
Pierre Chiartano
Editor of Risk – Quaderni di Geostrategia
Journalist and analyst specializing in international security and geopolitical dynamics in the Mediterranean and MENA region.
Irene Costantini
Research Fellow in International Relations, University “L’Orientale” of Naples
Focuses on state-building, external interventions, and political dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa.
Giulia Daga
Researcher, MENA Programme at IAI; Adjunct Lecturer
Specializes in international relations of the Persian Gulf, particularly Oman.
Fawaz A. Gerges
Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics (LSE)
Holds the Emirates Professorship in Contemporary Middle East Studies; founding director of the LSE Middle East Centre.
Joel Gordon
Political and Cultural Historian, University of Arkansas (US)
Editor of the International Journal of Middle East Studies since 2019; focuses on Egypt, political change, and cultural memory.
Laura Guercio
Lawyer and Professor, University of Perugia and Cusano University
Expert in international cooperation and women’s rights in the MENA region.
Nicolas Pelham
Middle East Correspondent, The Economist
Experienced reporter offering in-depth political and social analysis of Middle Eastern affairs.
José María Porras Ramírez
Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Granada (Spain)
Researches constitutional processes, comparative law, and democratic institutions.
Mahmood Sariolghalam
Professor of International Relations; Atlantic Council and Middle East Institute
Focuses on Middle Eastern politics, Iranian foreign policy, and political culture.
Maysaa Shuja Al-Deen
Senior Researcher, Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies (Yemen)
Expert on religious actors and groups in Yemen; has collaborated with Carnegie and Al Jazeera Studies Center.
Valeria Talbot
Senior Research Fellow and Head, Middle East and North Africa Centre, ISPI
Leads research on political and strategic developments in the region.
Birte Wassenberg
Professor of Contemporary History, University of Strasbourg; Visiting Professor, College of Europe
Specializes in European integration, border regions, and international cooperation in historical perspective.