Almost a decade after the Arab Spring, what has become of the momentum that led societies to challenge their governing regimes? Are Arab societies replacing active and vocal contestation with new forms of participation and political engagement? Or in the wake of political upheavals and instability, have Arab societies become more acquiescent? Are new political actors and new forms of social and political activism emerging? What roles are civil societies, youth movements, and secular and religious groups playing? Finally, what are the new and old informal and formal political spaces structuring political participation? 

This workshop seeks to foster a better understanding of everyday political life in Arab societies. The focus is on both individual and collective forms of engagement. Papers should be based on field-based evidence. Methodological diversity is encouraged. We welcome proposals from advanced graduate students and PhDs.

Please send a one page abstract (500 words) outlining the core research question, methodology and empirical evidence that the paper will use to Nadine Mezher ([email protected]) and Christy Govantes ([email protected]) by 16 September 2019.