Our Research Priorities
Our four research priorities address the future of GAPP disciplines in light of emerging challenges and opportunities in alignment with AUC's strategic initiatives. They are mainly built on the efforts of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy's (GAPP) faculty.
Priority One: Pathways Beyond Neoliberalism
Background
Several of the Public Policy and Administration Department's (PPAD) faculty are already conducting research that amounts to a rigorous critique of neoliberalism, whether with respect to public policies, international human rights, narrative and media, gender inequality, or mobility and displacement. GAPP supervises a Ford Foundation grant that explores pathways beyond neoliberalism in a regional network connected to a Global South network of universities that is engaging with a Global North university network.
Moving Forward
Under the guidance of Co-principal investigators (Co-PI) Amr Adly and Ibrahim Awad, GAPP will have rich discussions with other AUC schools, other Arab scholars, as well as scholars from India, Brazil, Columbia, and South Africa. The findings will result in new courses and publications. The Project of Pathways from Neoliberalism: Voices from the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) is an AUC-based program that is part of a larger project involving universities in India, South Africa, Colombia, and Mexico. This program mainly focuses on the MENA region.
More on The Project of Pathways Beyond Neoliberalism: Voices from MENA Project
Priority Two: The Future of Artificial Intelligence and GAPP Disciplines
Background
GAPP faculty are increasingly engaging in research and convening conferences to address Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its future implications on journalism and communication.
Moving Forward
Which other GAPP units are reflecting this question?
More on the AI and Future of Communications Conference
Priority Three: The Rise of Asia and its Influence on Public Policy, Administration, and Global Affairs
Background
GAPP has established in the past various university partnerships with Asian universities in order to exchange experiences and allow for faculty and student mobility. Furthermore, signed in October 2023 a new mobility agreement with Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and is in conversation with the Embassy of Singapore in Egypt to revive university cooperation.
Moving Forward
GAPP wants to build on these efforts and design a series of faculty lectures as well as student exchanges to better understand the implications of Chinese development and aspirations for world leadership in several of GAPP’s disciplines. This may intersect with PPAD’s research on smart cities and urbanism. What other GAPP research directions could benefit from a critical conversation with Asian, including Chinese, models of development?
Priority Four: The Future of the Regional Order
Background
GAPP produced a well-acclaimed report out of the AUC centennial project Al Mostaqbal: Envisioning a Better Arab Future. It is currently engaged in a number of activities to address the region in light of the current crisis in Gaza.
Moving Forward
GAPP will build on the Al Mostaqbal scenarios and reflect upon the future of regional security, especially in light of new regional alliances, the presence of the USA, China, Russia, and EU in the region, the demise of the myth of a powerful Israel, artificial intelligence, social media, and the critique of the West and of Neoliberalism.
Read the full report of Al Mostaqbal: Envisioning a Better Arab Future
Law and Society Research Unit
The Law and Society Research Unit is dedicated to advancing the systematic and critical study of legal reform in modern and contemporary Egypt.