Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECAS)

Description

Established in 2003, the Institute of Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus Studies (MECACS) at the University of St Andrews fosters interdisciplinary education and research on historical and contemporary issues in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Caucasus. It operates within the School of International Relations, in collaboration with the School of History, the School of Modern Languages, the Schools of Economics and Divinity, and the Departments of Social Anthropology and Film Studies.

MECACS encompasses three geographical regions sharing historical, cultural, and political commonalities, shaped by Islamic empires and subsequent European dominations. With Islam as the majority religion and substantial hydrocarbon reserves, these regions offer a rich context for research on international relations, state formation, post-colonial politics, the politics of oil, and more. In 2012, MECACS published a comparative analysis titled "Sovereignty After Empire: Comparing the Middle East and Central Asia." MECACS investigates themes such as conflict resolution, state formation, regionalism, domestic and foreign policies, authoritarianism, and religion's role in politics and society. Its scholars have won grants from various bodies, including Horizon 2020, the British Academy, and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

In collaboration with the Institute for Iranian Studies and other centres, MECACS has contributed significantly to global understanding of these regions through various projects and publications. Its collaborative efforts include a research handbook on the politics of the Levant. MECACS also organises seminars, conferences, and workshops, with staff frequently providing expert consultation and media commentary.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

2003

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University affiliation(s)

University of St Andrews
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St Andrews
KY16 9AJ