The Eastern Coast of the Gulf and Its Arabs Conference

The Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, in partnership with the Hassan Bin Mohammed Center for Historical Studies, is organizing a joint conference titled “The Eastern Coast of the Gulf and Its Arabs: Their Lives and Migrations From a History and Social Sciences Perspective” to be hosted in Doha on 11-12 October 2025.

The conference explores the Gulf’s eastern coast through the lenses of geography, demographics, and history, arguably one of the most complex topics related to the region. Despite its deep relevance to Gulf studies, there is a notable scarcity of literature in this area. Indeed, one cannot fully comprehend the Gulf without considering the interactions between its two coasts. The complexity begins with the name of the geographical region, and extends to clearly delineating the region’s physical border, as well as the interaction between the eastern and western coasts of the Gulf. Indeed, historical sources confirm that the capitals of the eastern coast have impacted events at the core of political life on the western coast.

The Arab Center and the Hassan Bin Mohammed Center for Historical Studies invite experts and interested researchers to participate in the conference, focusing on the suggested research topics outlined in the concept note. Selected papers may be published in a book following the conference. Researchers are encouraged to submit their proposals according to the following guidelines:

1. The Academic Committee receives proposals for research papers (about 500 words), including the question, a brief inventory of previous literature, the hypothesis/main thesis, the methodology, and references and main sources, no later than Saturday, 21 December 2024.
2. Proposals should be sent with a high-quality personal photo and an updated bio (100 words) which includes the titles of the research papers completed by the researcher in fields relevant to the conference topic (if any).
3. Proposals, the requirements listed above, and any other correspondence, should be directed to the following two email addresses:

gulf.arabianpeninsula@dohainstitute.edu.qa

hbmhcs@gmail.com

4. The Academic Committee will respond to proposals with an acceptance or rejection no later than Thursday, 23 January 2025.
5. The Academic Committee will receive completed research papers (approximately 5000-9000 words, including footnotes and references) for the accepted proposals, in a manner that is subject to refereeing and in compliance with the Arab Center’s formal and objective research specifications no later than Saturday, 14 June 2025.
6. The Academic Committee’s approval of a proposal does not mean automatic approval of participation in the conference unless said Committee approves the full research paper after its completion. The Academic Committee shall inform the researcher of its decision.
7. The organizers shall cover the expenses of transportation and lodging; however, no compensation shall be awarded for any research submitted. The research shall be considered the intellectual property of the Arab Center and the Hassan Bin Mohammed Center for Historical Studies.
8. Papers may be written in Arabic or English.
9. Conference proceedings will be printed in an Arabic-language book published by the Arab Center and the Hassan Bin Mohammed Center for Historical Studies. 

* See the Concept Note