Studies in Survival - Science and Conflict in Gaza and Beyond
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how education and research drive change even in the most challenging environments.
Bookings now closed but if you would still like to join please contact [email protected] for the instructions.
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 18:00 - 19:30 GMT
Location: Online (Zoom link will be sent to registered participants)
Registrations: free, but mandatory
As US President Donald Trump adds further confusion to the Middle East crisis, where does science factor in?
ABSW will host an online panel event looking at how research and education institutions shape social landscapes during times of conflict and war. This discussion will explore news angles and expert perspectives on how these institutions contribute to stability and progress, with a focus on the latest dramatic developments.
We will discuss cases where science has survived adversity or been re-established in difficult circumstances and the impact on their communities. Whether you’re looking for compelling stories or interested in looking behind the headlines into how education, research and resilience intersect, this event is for you.
Asmaa Abusamra serves as the head of Community Service and Continuing Education Center at University College of Applied Sciences, Gaza, Palestine. Asmaa is currently based in Oslo, Norway under a fellowship through the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network, where her research focuses on education reform and resilience in higher education, particularly in regions impacted by conflict. Asmaa led the committee responsible for developing life skills curricula for higher education institutions in Palestine and has designed numerous online course modules. Additionally, she has coached many training courses for academics in fields such as research methodologies, curriculum development, instructional design, education leadership, and life skills.
Nisha Gaind is Nature’s European Bureau Chief, where she leads coverage of science news in Europe, including the war in Ukraine. She has reported from places including Israel–Palestine and Rwanda. Her latest feature was on the science conducted into the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Miryam Naddaf is a science reporter at Nature. She covers biological sciences, research integrity and news from Africa and the Middle East. She studied biomedical sciences (BSc) at King’s College London. She has also worked as a freelance journalist, Arabic translator, and interview coordinator for a documentary series.
Bothina Osama is a science editor and regional coordinator for SciDev.Net, managing the Middle East & North Africa region and its MENA edition. Bothina launched Sharara podcast (or Spark in English) in November 2024. The podcast produced by SciDev.Net’s MENA edition in Arabic language. It explores the role of science in conflict zones through storytelling and expert interviews. It highlights how scientific research, innovation, and knowledge shape the lives of people in crisis-affected regions. Bothina is a co-founder of the Science Journalism Forum (SJF) and the Arab Forum for Science Media and Communication, and she is a board member of the Arab Science Journalists Association.
Andy Extance, ABSW chair and freelance science writer will chair the session.
Booking is mandatory. This event is free, but you can donate to organisations like the Committee to Protect Journalists, International Media Support, International Federation of Journalists, or Reporters Without Borders, which supports journalists on the front line.
