Royal University for Women's Pioneering Women’s Research Centre: A Catalyst for Research on Women Studies in the Region

Royal University for Women (RUW) is proud to announce the establishment of the Women’s Research Centre. Launching in December 2023, the Royal University for Women - Women’s Research Centre, is dedicated to conducting innovative research with a focus on women’s empowerment, advancement, and lives. The Centre is part of an established national and international network with the Supreme Council for Women Bahrain and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The centre shares insights and findings with national, regional, and international entities concerned and responsible for women’s affairs and mainstreaming their needs into the global sustainable development agenda and public life. As the Centre embarks on its inaugural year, Dr. Christelle Comair, recently appointed as Head of the new Women’s Research Centre, shares her vision for the Centre. Expanding the Research Culture The establishment of the Women’s Research Centre marks a new chapter in RUW’s journey towards academic and research excellence. Under the leadership of Professor Yusra Mouzughi, President of RUW, and a distinguished figure in women’s education and advancement in the region, this project has been brought to fruition. Strategically designed to significantly and sustainably enhance the Arab region's engagement in global research, the Centre will launch a comprehensive program of education, targeted training, and capacity-building activities. Collaborative research projects and activities will be conducted and coordinated by the Centre, in partnership with local, regional, and international partners, adhering to both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. Ultimately, this pioneering initiative will aim at strengthening Bahrain’s current research ecosystem through rigorous scientific research, placing a specific emphasis on Bahrain’s distinct role and unique contributions to women’s advancement in the region. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Women's Empowerment RUW, renowned for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, already adopts a multidisciplinary approach that the Research Centre will further enhance. Aligning with national priorities, the Centre will be a faculty-driven initiative, strengthening RUW’s role in producing impactful and scholarly research that contributes to conversations around women’s advancement both regionally and internationally. This involves facilitating interdisciplinary research teams, enhancing the university’s research capabilities, and supporting faculty and students in their scholarly pursuits. To achieve that vision, the Centre’s strategy will involve forming collaborative relationships with local organizations of diverse backgrounds, as well as with universities and industries. With this forward-thinking approach and aligned with the national plans of the Supreme Council for Women, the Centre's research and policy contributions are expected to have a significant impact on enhancing women's national and international presence across various sectors. A Hub for Innovative Research and Policy Recommendations The Centre transcends the traditional role of a research institution, positioning itself as a dynamic hub for policy-focused research and comprehensive documentation. It aims to provide qualitative and quantitative research to foster women’s advancement and support policymakers with evidence-based recommendations for reform and programme development. Beyond advancing scientific research on women’s studies in the Arab region, the Centre’s Mission is also dedicated to amplifying and championing women’s voices in critical global conversations, thereby asserting their influence in policy-making processes and scholarly theory-building. In fact, effectively tackling the current international challenges and rapid global shifts affecting both the region and the world necessitates a specific focus on women’s roles in the Arab region. Therefore, with the support of its founding partners and the hosting provided by RUW, the Centre will be dedicated to enhancing understanding of both the realities and potentialities of women at political, economic, and social levels, along with contributing to associated policy developments both from and for the Arab region. Such a proactive strategy will position the Centre as a leading site of scholarship and a key player in shaping a robust research culture in the field of women’s studies within the region.