Northwestern University in Qatar

05/09/2026

What could you create with five days of hands-on generative AI training?

Explore image generation, animation, video, voice, music, prompt engineering, and creative workflows in Generative AI Tools for Digital Content Design, a Northwestern Qatar Executive Education masterclass led by Professor Spencer Striker.

Across five interactive sessions, participants will experiment with leading GenAI platforms, learn how to move from idea to production, and develop an original AI-driven digital media project.

No previous AI, programming, or production experience is required.

September 20–24, 2026
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Northwestern University in Qatar
Registration is now open.

03/09/2026

How is the Gulf reshaping the future of public diplomacy?

Join Northwestern Qatar’s Banu Akdenizli as she explores how digital platforms, strategic communication, and new approaches to visibility and influence are transforming public diplomacy.

“Digital, Global, Centralized: What the Gulf Can Teach Us About the Future of Public Diplomacy”

September 6 | 12:15–1:15 p.m.
Room 1-300 | Northwestern Qatar

Part of the Fall 2026 Hiwar Scholars Seminar series.

31/08/2026

From research and publications to films, creative projects, and scholarly engagement, Northwestern Qatar faculty continue to contribute new ideas and perspectives across their fields.

The 2026 Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter brings together highlights the past academic year and showcases the breadth of research and creative activity across our academic community.

Explore the newsletter and discover the latest faculty scholarship at Northwestern Qatar:

https://nuqatar.com/researchnews2026

Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter of faculty scholarship at NU-Q

27/08/2026

Who counts in a world increasingly shaped by data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence?

Join us for the first Hiwar Scholars Seminar of Fall 2026 with Eddy Borges-Rey, Associate Professor in Residence at Northwestern University in Qatar, for Who Counts? Technologies of Recognition and the Architecture of Certainty.

Drawing on his research at the intersection of media, technology, and power, Borges-Rey will explore questions surrounding data, algorithms, AI, automation, and the systems that increasingly influence how people and societies are recognized, categorized, and understood.

Sunday, August 30
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Room 1-300
Details: https://nuqatar.com/Hiwar26-Borges-Rey

The Hiwar Scholars Seminar brings students, faculty, and staff together for challenging and enriching conversations on issues shaping journalism, media, geopolitics, and society.

22/08/2026

The Class of 2030 has officially begun its Northwestern journey.

At Northwestern Qatar’s 19th Convocation, our newest students were welcomed into a community shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to ask big questions.

Dean and CEO Marwan M. Kraidy encouraged students to embrace basira; insight, vision, and discernment, as they navigate a world increasingly shaped by technology and rapid change.

“In a world overflowing with information, what will distinguish you is not simply how much you know. It will be how deeply you see.”

Northwestern Provost Erik Luijten urged students to remain curious, take risks, learn from mistakes, and draw strength from the community around them, while Student Government President Timaa Kamar reminded them that alongside building a resume or portfolio, “you’re building a life too.”

Welcome, Class of 2030. Your Northwestern journey begins now.

18/08/2026

Northwestern Provost Erik Luijten will return to Northwestern Qatar on August 20 to deliver the keynote address at Convocation 2026 and officially welcome the Class of 2030.

His visit comes just months after attending NU-Q’s Graduation ceremony as provost-elect and marks his first visit to the Qatar campus as Northwestern’s chief academic officer.

Nearly 170 incoming first-year and transfer students representing more than 25 countries will join the Northwestern community this year, bringing perspectives and experiences from across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

“Having celebrated the achievements of this year’s graduates just a few months ago, it is especially meaningful to now greet the University’s newest students as they begin their own Northwestern journey,” Luijten said.

Read more: https://nuqatar.com/Convo26Speaker

12/08/2026

Northwestern University in Qatar is proud to welcome seven new scholars to the for Advanced Study in the Global South ( ) for the 2026–27 academic year.

The new cohort, including three Global Postdoctoral Scholars and four Global Fellows, will join Northwestern Qatar's vibrant research community to advance original scholarship on the histories, cultures, societies, and media of the Global South. Through interdisciplinary research, public programming, collaborative initiatives, and publications, they will contribute to the University's growing global impact in research and knowledge production.

Congratulations to our newest scholars!

Read more: https://www.qatar.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2026/6.6-seven-scholars-join-institute-advanced-study.html

22/07/2026

IAS Undergraduate Fellows Present Research on the Global Stage

Twelve projects developed through the Global Undergraduate Fellowship were accepted to through a rigorous peer-review process, with ten fellows present in the conference programme.

Presenting alongside graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and leading academics, our undergraduate fellows are showcasing innovative research through documentary film, graphic narratives, interactive media, oral history, and digital storytelling.

"The work of our undergraduate fellows demonstrates what is possible when students are entrusted with ambitious research and supported through close mentorship," said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern University in Qatar. "Their participation at IAMCR reflects not only the quality of their scholarship, but also our commitment to cultivating the next generation of researchers whose work expands knowledge production from and about the Global South."

Learn more about their achievements:
https://nuqatar.com/IAMCR26-IASFellows

09/07/2026

Northwestern Qatar Helps Shape Global Media Scholarship at IAMCR 2026

Faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and undergraduate students from Northwestern Qatar are contributing research and creative scholarship across more than a dozen sessions at .

"IAMCR is one of the leading global forums for advancing communication and media scholarship," said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern University in Qatar. "It is especially meaningful to see our faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate students exemplifying NU-Q's commitment to academic excellence through scholarship that engages with the most pressing global questions and contributes perspectives from the Global South to international conversations."

From artificial intelligence and journalism to multimodal storytelling and communication technologies, our community is advancing evidence-based scholarship and helping shape global conversations.

Read more: https://nuqatar.com/IAMCR26-Main

02/07/2026

Research begins with curiosity. Its impact extends far beyond the classroom.

The latest NU-Q Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter showcases how faculty and students are advancing knowledge across media, communication, journalism, technology, artificial intelligence, culture, history, and the Global South.

From groundbreaking publications and creative works to interdisciplinary collaborations and externally funded research, discover the ideas shaping conversations locally and around the world.

Explore the latest issue and faculty scholarship highlights:

* Research & Creative Scholarship Newsletter: https://nuqatar.com/researchnews2026

* Faculty Scholarship Highlights: https://nuqatar.com/facultyhighlights26

Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter of faculty scholarship at NU-Q