The Birmingham Centre for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies specialises in Islam as a spiritual and historical reality, and the contemporary Middle East. As the successor to the Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Selly Oak, it draws on long experience that stretches back to the 1920’s with the establishment of a lectureship in Islamic Studies and the founding of the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern Manuscripts.
The Centre aims to provide a world-class research and learning experience, with critical understanding and appreciation of both Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. As a multi-disciplinary Centre, it offers a wide range of subject areas, including Islamic Texts, Islam in the Contemporary World, Islamic Spirituality, Christian-Muslim Relations, and the Politics, History and Culture of the Middle East.
The Centre is located in the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, and within the University it benefits from close connections with other schools and departments that have expertise in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.
The Centre aims to enrich student experience by forging links with centres with similar interests across the UK and throughout the world.
Postgraduate study
As well as contributing to the School’s undergraduate degree in Theology and Religion, the Centre also offers a taught MA programme in Islamic Studies and research degrees in the areas of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. In addition, each year the Centre welcomes a number of visiting research scholars, reflecting the learning and research activities that are at its heart.
Staff
Director
Dr Haifaa Jawad, Department of Theology and Religion
Members
Dr Ian Draper, Department of Theology and Religion
Dr Laura Zahra McDonald, Institute of Applied Social Studies
Dr Michelle Pace, Political Science and International Studies
Professor David Thomas, Department of Theology and Religion
Dr Benjamin Thomas White, Department of History
Dr Galina Yemelianova, Centre for Russian and East European Studies
Advisors/Consultants
Professor Ian Netton, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter
Professor Gerd Nonneman, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter/Georgetown University, Qatar Campus
Senior Research Fellow - Professor George Joffe, Cambridge University
Publications
Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations - this refereed academic journal publishes articles in the following areas:
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the religion and culture of Islam, historical and contemporary
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Islam and its relations with other faiths and ideologies
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Christian-Muslim relations
Events
Forthcoming events
Past events
Contact
Centre Director: Dr Haifaa Jawad
h.a.jawad@bham.ac.uk
School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston, Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom