Introduction

The Humanities and Social Sciences Research Center (HSSRC) is committed to leading significant research projects that address contemporary societal and educational issues both within Emirati society and the region. Our aim is to cultivate a dynamic environment that offers diverse research opportunities while attracting top-quality researchers through partnerships and collaborations. By promoting cutting-edge research and developing the next generation of researchers in Humanities, and social sciences, we seek to advance interdisciplinary inquiry and generate valuable knowledge on today’s most pressing community challenges.

Vision

To become a leading center in the Arab Middle East, we aim to advance research in the fields of humanities, social sciences, community studies, and educational sciences. This center will foster connections between researchers and professionals in government, non-profit organizations, stakeholders, and the public, ensuring that research contributions are accessible and address both regional and global issues. Our long-term goal is to establish the center as a hub for theory building and innovation in the field of humanities, social sciences. languages and sociolinguistics

Mission

To strengthen the research culture in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on contemporary issues related to education, languages, literature, civilization, community studies, and family dynamics. The aim of the center is to collaborate with colleagues from universities and partners from various parts of the world to address global and local issues, link theory with practice, and better understand the theory of practice by exploring global and local challenges. Through these efforts, we aim to bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy, enhancing both individual and institutional learning capacities while improving public access to information.

Goals and Objectives

The Humanities and Social Sciences Research Center (HSSRC) aims to achieve the following goals and objectives:

• Develop research plans and programs in the humanities and social sciences, aligning with AU’s mission and goals to establish itself as a leading research university with a strong international ranking.

• Facilitate research opportunities, both locally and internationally, that incorporate fieldwork and case studies, past and present. Collaborate within a peer-review framework to address societal issues in the UAE and beyond, providing insightful recommendations and practical solutions.

• Host conferences, training workshops, seminars, and lectures to enhance AU’s research capabilities and meet its community service objectives.

• Encourage and support applied research, field studies, and case studies focused on the development and service of UAE society.

• Foster local and international collaborations through agreements, and provide financial support for studies and research projects.

• Offer faculty members and students in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences the necessary resources to conduct impactful research that benefits Emirati society.

• Organize an annual international conference on contemporary global issues in education, sociology, and language learning and teaching.

Organizational Structure

• Dr Soumaya Abdellatif, Head of HSSRC
• Research steering committee: Prof. Fares Howari, Dr Soumaya Abdellatif, Dr. Mohamed Eltahir, Dr. Laid Bouakaz, Dr. Abderahim Benlahcene 
• Research Associate professor: Dr. Laid Bouakaz 
• Members: Thirteen faculty members from the College of Humanities and Sciences; from the following departments: Sociology, Psychology, Education, and Languages.
• Associate Researchers from national and international Universities.

Research Groups and areas of interest.

 The following research groups within the HSSRC will conduct fundamental and applied research in the respective subject areas:

1- Educational Studies Research Group.

2- Sociology Research Group.

3- Psychology Research Group.

4- Languages, Literature and Civilizations Research Group.

5- Demography and Population Studies Research Group.

6- Law, Institutions and Societies Research Group.

Partners

1. Lund University, Sweden.
2. Yale University, USA.
3. Stockholm University, Sweden.
4. University College, Dublin, Ireland.
5. University Paris-Cité, France.
6. Birmingham City University, UK.
7. Geneva University, Switzerland.
8. University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.

Associate Researchers and Collaborators

• Jonas Elbousty, Yale University, USA.
• Zahia Ouadah Bedidi, University of Paris..
• Elena Ambrosetti, La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
• Nihad Bunar, Stockholm, University. Sweden.
• Dennis Beach, Gothenborg University. Sweden.
• Rob Smith, Birmingham City, University. Sweden.
• Anna Lund, Stockholm University. Sweden.
• Stefan, Lund, Stockholm, University. Sweden.
• Dymna Devine, Ireland University Colleg Dublin. Ireland.
• Abdulla Sodiq, Birminghamn City University. UK.

HSSRC Members

 Head of HSSRC        HSSRC Members       

Fares Mohd Howari

Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences
Director, General Education Program

f.howari@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 5466

Ajman Campus

Soumaya Abdellatif EP Slama

Associate Professor, Head of Sociology Department

s.abdellatif@ajman.ac.ae

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Ajman Campus

Laid Bouakaz

Research Associate Professor (FRA-2)

06 705 +46738555538

Ajman Campus

Mohd Elmagzoub Ahmed Babiker Eltahir

Associate Professor, Head of Education Department

m.babiker@ajman.ac.ae

--

Ajman Campus

Alaa Zuhir Abduljawad AlRawashdeh

Professor

alaa.a@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6117

Ajman Campus

Rasha Mohamed A. Abdel Rahman

Assistant Professor - HOD of Psychology

r.abdelrahman@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6127

Ajman Campus

Belal M . J. Ibrahim

Associate Professor, Head of Language and Culture Department

b.ibrahim@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6676

Ajman Campus

Dalia Ahmad Muhammad Omar Bedewy

Associate Professor

d.bedewy@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6025

Ajman Campus

Enaam Youssef Mohammed Youssef

Associate Professor

e.youssef@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6021

Ajman Campus

Walaa Mohamed Shaaban Elsayed

Assistant Professor

w.elsayed@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6458

Ajman Campus

Asma Rebhi Khaleel Alarab

Professor

a.alarab@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6116

Ajman Campus

Nagwa Babiker Abdalla Yousif

Assistant Professor

n.yousif@ajman.ac.ae

06 705 6942

Ajman Campus

Abderrahim Benlahcene

Assistant Professor

a.benlahcene@ajman.ac.ae

--

Ajman Campus

Nissrin Shaya

Assistant Professor

n.shaya@ajman.ac.ae

--

Ajman Campus

HSSRC Publications

Activities of HSSRC

HSSRC Internal Projects

Project No.1: Students and faculty member perspectives on applying blended learning during the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic: a comparative study

Project No.2:The implementation of online learning in conventional higher education institutions during the spread of COVID-19: a comparative study

Gallery

Family and Society Conference 1st Edition 2024

Visit the Family and Society Conference 1st Edition website

Family and Society Conference 2nd Edition 2025

  Visit the FSC 2nd edition website and submit your abstract 

Excellence in Research Award for UAE University Female Students

Click on the flyer for abstract submission

Submit Abstract

About the Award

Excellence in Research Award for UAE University Female Students is dedicated to empowering the next generation of female researchers by fostering innovation and leadership in exploring digital and sustainable frontiers across Education, Sociology, and Psychology. The competition is open to female students within the UAE universities

A Gender Equity Initiative

 The initiative is led by the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Centre in Ajman University and sponsred by the Ajman University’s Deanship of Research & Graduate Studies (DRG, in collaboration with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee of the University. Together, they promote gender equity and the empowerment of female students in academia and research. This initiative provides a platform that encourages female participation, fosters leadership, and promotes equal opportunities for female researchers. It reflects the University’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where female students can excel in innovative research.

Scope

The Applied Student Research Competition in Education, Social Sciences, and Psychology (EFRA 2024) encompasses both Student Research Paper and Poster competitions, with a specific focus on empowering female researchers. This platform is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among undergraduate and postgraduate students, with an emphasis on promoting female students' contributions. The competition aims to highlight and celebrate the role of women in academia, ensuring that female researchers are recognized for their leadership and impact in the fields of education, social sciences, and psychology.

Aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, which aims to “prepare a new generation of Emiratis to face the challenges of the future and ensure sustainable happiness and a better life for citizens, the theme of the competition is: "Empowering Future Female Researchers: Navigating the Digital and Sustainable Frontiers in Education, Social Sciences & Psychology."

Goals

The primary goals of the student competition are:

1. Encourage Participation: Empower Female students enrolled in humanities and social sciences programs to apply and showcase their knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, with a special emphasis on supporting female students.
2. Foster Collaboration: Promote scholarly collaboration among Female students from diverse institutions and countries, enhancing the diversity of ideas and perspectives.
3. Recognize Innovation: Reward high-quality, innovative research that contributes new insights, methodologies, or solutions to challenges in the humanities and social sciences.
4. Promote Interdisciplinary Research: Encourage research projects that bridge multiple disciplines to foster a holistic understanding of complex social and educational issues.
5. Empower Future Female Researchers: Provide a platform to encourage female students to pursue research and leadership opportunities, ensuring they are recognized and supported within the academic community.

How it Works

 The Competition for Student Research Papers

1. Abstract Submission: Students or groups of students submit an extended abstract.
2. Peer Review: Abstracts are reviewed by a peer-review committee composed of field experts, who evaluate them based on originality, methodology, relevance, and clarity.
3. Notification & Full Paper Submission: Upon acceptance, authors must submit a full research paper that has been approved by a supervisor or faculty member. The supervisor is considered a mentor rather than an author, and all authors must be students.
4. Finalist Selection: The top twenty research papers are selected as finalists, and students are invited to campus to present their work for 15 minutes, followed by questions from judges and the audience.
5. Judging: Finalists are evaluated by a panel of judges, and the winner is selected based on scores.

The Poster Student Competition

1. Abstract Submission: Students or groups of students submit an extended abstract.
2. Peer Review: Abstracts are reviewed similarly to the research paper competition.
3. Submission of a Brief Paper: Upon acceptance, students submit a brief (two to five pages) paper approved by a supervisor or professor.
4. Finalist Selection: The top twenty submissions are selected as finalists and presented in poster format for 10 minutes.
5. Judging: Judges evaluate the posters and presentations, scoring each group, and winners are chosen accordingly.

Poster Guidelines 

Dimensions: Typically 36” x 48” (91 cm x 122 cm), landscape orientation.

Content Sections:

• Title (with your name and affiliation)
• Abstract: Brief summary
• Introduction: Background and research question
• Methods: Brief overview
• Results: Key findings, with visuals
• Conclusion: Main takeaway
• References/Acknowledgments: Key sources or funding

Style:

• Use clear headings, readable font sizes (Title: 72 pt, Text: 24-28 pt).
• Include visuals like charts and images.
• Keep text minimal for easy readability

Conference Tracks (You may choose one topic or integrate two if they complement each other)

EFRA 2024 will feature three main tracks that accommodate a variety of research projects:

1. A) Education:

1. Technology Integration in Modern Classrooms:

   Research on how digital tools, e-learning platforms, and technology impact student learning and engagement.

2. Innovative Teaching Methods and Their Impact on Learning:

   Research on new teaching strategies and their effectiveness in enhancing student learning outcomes.

3. Curriculum Innovation and Inclusive Education:

       Research exploring innovative approaches to curriculum design and development, integrating inclusive education practices to foster diverse and equitable l       learning      environment.

1. B) Sociology:

1. The Role of Women in Driving Innovation and Sustainability (Education, Social Sciences):
   Relevance: The UAE is committed to gender equality and female empowerment, as demonstrated by initiatives like the Gender Balance Council. This topic highlights the critical role of women in fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth in various sectors.

2. Social Media and Its Influence on Youth:

         Research examining the impact of social media on youth behaviour, values, and identity.

3. The Role of Government Initiatives in Social Development:  

        Research that assesses the impact of government programs and policies on social progress.

1. C) Psychology:

1. Mental Health Awareness and Interventions:  

       Research on mental health awareness campaigns, therapy methods, and their effectiveness.

2. Psychological effects of technology use:

      This research can cover the effects of technology usage on various aspects such as mental health, social interaction, cognitive development, well-being, and              behavioural changes.

3. Stress and Coping Mechanisms:

      Explore how different groups manage stress (e.g., students, employees, parents) and what coping strategies are most effective across varying environments.

Awards & Recognition

1. Track Winners: 

   One winner will be selected from each track (Education, Social Sciences, Psychology). Each winner will receive:

   - A Certificate of Excellence

   - A prize of 4000 AED

2. Shortlisted Candidates:

   All other finalists will receive:

   - A Certificate of Recognition for their outstanding work and contribution to the competition.

Timeline

 Submission Categories

 Participants are encouraged to submit original research papers, case studies, or innovative projects within their respective tracks. Submissions should contribute to the advancement of knowledge and address current challenges and opportunities within the chosen field.

 Who Can Participate?

The competition is open to female students, both graduate and undergraduate, from all universities and institutes across the UAE.

 Note: Participants are responsible for covering their own participation expenses, including mobility, accommodation, and any other associated costs, unless these are sponsored by their respective institutions.

Submissions’ guidelines:

 Students eligible to participate in the research competition must submit a non-published research paper of 10-20 pages, including references, figures, and tables. The paper should be formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1.5 line spacing and 1-inch margins. It must include a title page (with the title, authors' names, and university affiliation), an abstract of no more than 250 words, 3-5 keywords, and sections for the introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. Papers will be evaluated on originality, clarity, methodology, relevance, and proper citation. Papers may be submitted in either Arabic or English; however, theoretical papers will not be accepted.

For submission please use the link:

Submit Abstract

Or use the QR code:

 Submission Deadlines (see table above)

 For Further information

 Contact us:

 Humanities and Social Sciences Research Centre, Ajman University

hssrc@ajman.ac.ae

Award Steering Committee:

Prof. Fares Howari

Dr. Soumaya Abdellatif

Dr. Nissrin Shaya

Dr. Abderrahim Benlahcene  

Dr. Laid Bouakaz