Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Public Policy (CPP) welcomed Dr. Melani Cammett, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University, as its Spring 2024 Eminent Visiting Policy Scholar.

Dr. Cammett’s visit included a seminar series on key issues shaping the work of public professionals across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  The program commenced with an analysis of the trajectories in social welfare and development outcomes after the Arab Spring across several countries, featuring an outline of the distinct types of welfare regimes found throughout the region and their evolution. 

In her second seminar, Dr. Cammett considered  women's economic and political participation throughout the Arab world, shared insights on prevailing gender attitudes,  and explored the reasons for low levels of female political representation. The series concluded with Dr. Cammett offering a framework for understanding emerging patterns of civil society dynamics, social mobilization, and protests across the region.

Commenting on the seminar series, Dr. Leslie Pal, Dean, CPP, said: “We were proud to welcome Dr. Cammett as our Spring 2024 Eminent Visiting Policy Scholar. Her deep understanding of political dynamics across the Arab world provided invaluable insights into the dialogue surrounding these issues from a public policy context here at the College. ”

CPP aims to become one of the leading public policy schools in the region and the world and a center for teaching and researching responses to policy questions of local and global relevance. The College actively leverages local and transnational synergies and collaborations with distinguished international partners to facilitate expertise and build capacity in Qatar and beyond.