Mission Statement

The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) is a non-profit association that fosters the study of the Middle East, promotes high standards of scholarship and teaching, and encourages public understanding of the region and its peoples through programs, publications and services that enhance education, further intellectual exchange, recognize professional distinction, and defend academic freedom in accordance with its status as a 501(c)(3) scientific, educational, literary, and charitable organization.

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Annual Meeting  


The Middle East Studies Association’s 59th annual meeting will be held in Washington DC from November 22-25, 2025.

Please see the MESA 2025 Call for Papers for details on how to submit. Submission will be accepted via myMESA from January 7 until 12:00noon Eastern on February 13, 2025.

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Advocacy


The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) advocates on behalf of its members on issues that are central to its mission.

This includes statements and letters from MESA's Board of Directors, MESA's Committee on Academic Freedom, the Task Force on Civil and Human Rights, and the MESA Global Academy.

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Become a MemberTea cup and plate


Be a part of a community of scholars who are passionate about the pursuit of academic knowledge on the MENA region. Help MESA defend academic freedoms. Share your research at the annual meeting. Access the best, cutting-edge scholarship in person at the conference or online in our journals.

Join or renew today!

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Member Announcements

MESA 2025 Call For Papers Now Available

To see the updated Call for Papers for MESA 2025, please see here.

MESA announces new Academic Freedom Initiative

MESA proudly announces a two-year $312,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support the comprehensive study of changes in the campus climate in North America since October 7, 2023. For more information, go here.

Issues of IJMES, RoMES, and IMES available

To access, select the Publications tab in your myMESA account then click the publication image.

Security Alerts for Researchers and Students

There are two active security alerts issued by MESA’s Board of Directors for those embarking on research in Egypt and UAE.

MESA Board Joint Statement with CAF Concerning the Impact of the Israeli Military Campaign on Education in Lebanon

The MESA Board of Directors and its Committee on Academic Freedom register our profound concern regarding the interruption of education and the damage to Lebanese educational facilities as a result of the intensified Israeli military campaign which began in September 2024. The attacks in Lebanon, including on educational facilities and their environs, are direct infringements on the right to education as well as on academic freedom. We express solidarity with our colleagues in Lebanon and urge international organizations to support Lebanese institutions as they resume their important activities and rebuild their sector.

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Call for Applications: MESA/ACSS/OIB Summer 2025 Workshop

MESA

The Middle East Studies Association, the Arab Council for the Social Sciences, the Orient Institute in Beirut are organizing a five-day workshop at the American University of Cairo, June 29-July 3. The workshop, which is co-sponsored by AUC, will bring together a select group of doctoral students from North American, German, and Arab universities to discuss the possibilities, critical approaches, epistemological, and practical challenges of undertaking archival and/or ethnographic research in the Arab region. 

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Stay Connected

MESA offers several ways to stay connected: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, as well as listservs and trusty email notifications. To find out more, please follow the link below.

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