The Institute for Middle East Studies was founded in 2007 as part of a broad, University-wide initiative to support academic work on the Middle East. Institute for Middle East Studies faculty represent a breadth of disciplines from political science to media and public affairs to religion to international business. IMES also sponsors outstanding visiting scholars focused on the Middle East, enriching the institute’s scholarship and academic programs.

The Institute hosts both academic and policy-oriented event series that are open to the public, in addition to flagship events such as the IMES Annual Conference and the Annual Kuwait Chair Lecture. IMES also hosts a variety of workshops and professional development events for K-14 teachers on both teaching the Arabic language and on teaching about the Middle East.

IMES is also dedicated to supporting educational programs that focus on the modern Middle East, such as the Elliott School’s B.A. and M.A. programs in Middle East Studies. The Institute serves as the administrative home of these programs, and offers funding to support student research.

IMES encourages intellectual collaboration among members of the GW community interested in the Middle East, between GW research institutes, and with other organizations in the Washington area. In promoting and publicizing new work on the Middle East, IMES aims to deepen understanding of this critical region among scholars, students, and the broader public.

Affiliated Organizations