ABOUT
Mission
To support the development of the Dubai School of Government (DSG) as a premier academic, research and outreach institution in public policy, administration and management in the Middle East through direct assistance and indirect intellectual capital development.
About
The Dubai Initiative is a joint venture between the DSG and the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), supporting the development of DSG as a leading academic, research and outreach institution in public policy, administration and management in the Middle East. The primary objective of the Initiative is to bridge the expertise and resources of HKS with DSG and enable the exchange of students, scholars, knowledge and resources between the two institutions in the areas of governance, political science, economics, energy, security, gender and foreign relations in the Middle East.
The Initiative implements programs that respond to the evolving needs of the DSG and are aligned with the research interests of the various departments and centers of HKS as well as other schools and departments of Harvard University. Program activities include funding, coordinating and facilitating fellowships, joint fellowships with the DSG, internships, faculty and graduate research grants, working papers, multi-year research initiatives, conferences, symposia, public lectures, policy workshops, faculty workshops, case studies and customized executive education programs delivered at DSG.
History
The Dubai Initiative (DI) was formed in 2004 when the Dubai Government approached the Belfer Center with the opportunity to advise and assist them in the establishment of the Dubai School of Government as an academic, research, and outreach institution in public policy, administration, and management for the Middle East.
In the five years since its inception, DI has jointly hosted a major conference with the Dubai School of Government, cosponsored major forums and lectures, expanded its research collaborations and areas of concentration, and continues to grow its fellowship program and seminar series.
Dubai School of Government
The DSG was created in 2005 as a research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world. The school aims "to promote good governance through enhancing the region's capacity for effective public policy." More information about DSG can be found at their website.
Personnel
Through its employment of a wide variety of professionals for different roles, DI is building a robust alumni network through the continually expansion of its reach across professions, cultures, and disciplines. For a full listing of DI personnel, please see our People page.
- Staff: Executive Director Ashraf Hegazy is housed at the DI offices at HKS.
- Fellows: Fellows typically spend one year at DI researching various topics related to the Gulf region and the greater Middle East. Their diverse research interests, ranging from healthcare to terrorism, are studied in close collaboration with researchers at DSG. They promote their work primarily through the presentation of a brown bag seminar and working paper series.
- Senior Fellows: DI Senior Fellows are established scholars who actively contribute to the study of the broader Middle East. They hold senior positions at universities across the globe and bring an important regional perspective to the work of DI and DSG. DI Senior Fellows are appointed by The Dubai Initiative in consultation with DSG.
- Affiliates: DI Faculty Affiliates are HKS and Harvard University professors whose work contributes directly to the research goals of DI and DSG. They advise DSG and DI on research projects and allow DI fellows and DSG researchers access to their own research.
- Associates: Research Associates are the most senior experts from the Dubai School of Government who spend a period in residence at DI where they pursue research, faculty recruitment, and other projects related to the development of DSG.
- Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC): Acting as the strategic backbone behind the DI, the FAC consists of faculty members of Harvard Kennedy School. In their capacity as advisors, these members provide critical insight influencing the direction of DI and the development of DSG. They advise DSG leadership on faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and institution-building.
- Career Opportunities: The Dubai School of Government is currently hiring for two positions: Research Associate/Project Manager and Research Associate at DSG's Gender and Public Policy Program
Contact
The Dubai Initiative
Harvard Kennedy School
79 JFK St., Box 134
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-495-4562
Email: dubai_initiative@hks.harvard.edu
