Research

We investigate international relations and security dynamics, examining the emergence of sub-state groups to provide insights into regional power structures. 

Our work explores the evolving nature of civil society and democratic practices, while also addressing pressing humanitarian challenges in the region. 

We examine the roles of minorities and women, focusing on their contributions and the effects of social dynamics within Middle Eastern societies. 

Our research delves into the complex histories, languages and cultures of the region, challenging prevailing Western narratives of the 'Middle East'. 

We utilise interdisciplinary approaches to deepen our understanding of the region, fostering innovative teaching and supporting higher degree research. 

Funded by an ARC Discovery Project and led by Professor Ihsan Yilmaz, this research examines how populist narratives, digital technologies and transnational politics shape mobilisation and conflict within Turkish and Indian diaspora communities in Australia. It explores how governments and aligned actors use religion, nationalism and digital media to influence communities abroad. The project highlights how diaspora spaces become sites of political contestation, with digital platforms amplifying polarisation and tension. Its findings contribute to understanding the links between transnational influence, diaspora politics and social cohesion.

Funded by an ARC Future Fellowship and led by Professor Benjamin Isakhan, this project explores how displaced communities understand and preserve heritage after war, exile and forced migration. Focusing on people from the Middle East, it examines how heritage is experienced across distance, as well as how these perspectives align with those of governments and global organisations. Through fieldwork and a new conceptual framework, the project offers insights into the links between heritage, identity and conflict, informing more responsive approaches to cultural protection and recovery. 

Funded by an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), this project led by Dr Virginie Rey examines how Muslim communities use museums to express and represent their identities in non-Muslim-majority societies. Drawing on comparative research across Australia, Europe, and North America, it explores how heritage is collected, curated and displayed across contexts. The project delivers the first transnational study of Muslim museums and new insights into multicultural heritage, supporting more inclusive and informed museum practice.

Funded by an ARC Discovery Project, this research led by Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh examines Indonesia’s claim to be a global centre of “moderate Islam” within international hierarchies of Islamic learning. Despite this positioning, Indonesian scholarship remains underrepresented, with students continuing to study in the Middle East. The project explores whether Indonesia’s claims carry global influence and how overseas study traditions shape domestic political tensions. It also highlights the implications for Australia, offering insight into the international networks of a key regional partner.