AcademIQ
Strengthening research capacity in Iraq
Overview
AcademIQ was a multi-year programme designed to support Iraqi researchers in the arts, humanities and social sciences with academic skills development. Decades of neglect, conflict, and the repercussions of brain-drain have taken a heavy toll on the quality of higher education in Iraq. This programme builds on a British Academy-funded Iraq Writing Workshop project that was implemented in Iraq in 2019. AcademIQ consisted of online research courses, provision of academic writing workshops and academic mentoring.
Academic Research Course
An integrated online academic research course, designed specifically for academics in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to strengthen their skills in humanities and social sciences research & academic publishing. It comprised sixteen units designed to be studied independently over the course of an academic year. In 2024–25 it was delivered in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Download the final evaluation report on the Academic Research Course here.
Academic Mentorship Programme
The Academic Mentorship Programme was designed for Iraqi researchers in the fields of arts, social sciences and humanities.
Download the final evaluation report on the Academic Mentorship Programme here.
The AcademIQ Team
A team of UK-based academics worked closely with Iraqi universities and researchers to strengthen academic skills.
The AcademIQ Programme Lead was Dr Mehiyar Kathem, Deputy Director of the Nahrein Network.
Dr Ersun N. Kurtuluṣ
Ersun N Kurtuluş is an Asscociate Professor at the Department of International Relations, Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU). He has held academic positions at TED University, University of Kent, Imperial College London, Open University and Stockholm University.
Dr Ariane Smart
Ariane Smart is an Associate Professor at UCL’s Academic Communication Centre. After a Masters in Political History in Paris, she completed her PhD at UCL. Ariane has over 20 years' experience teaching history as well as academic communication.
Dr Fran Sutherland
Fran Sutherland (MEd, PGCert TESOL, PGCE English, BA Hons) is an Educational Developer and senior fellow at the University of Bradford and was on the Nahrein Network's Management Committee. She has worked in higher education for 15 years as a lecturer, manager and developer,