Research Centers

The Crown Center for Middle East Studies, directed by Professor Shai Feldman and established thanks to the generosity of the Crown Family Foundation, is dedicated to a balanced and dispassionate approach to the Middle East. The Center's geographic parameters of study are the 22 members of the Arab League as well as Turkey, Iran, and Israel. Its research includes, but is not limited to, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Arab politics, Islamic studies, economic and social developments, regional security, and arms control.

Although the Crown Center's main focus is research, its activities include conferences, seminars, and workshops for the Brandeis community. It also publishes the Middle East Brief which provides a brief analysis of a single issue at the top of the region’s political, social, or economic agenda.

The Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, founded in 2007, is dedicated to promoting exemplary teaching and scholarship in Israeli history, politics, culture, and society at Brandeis University and beyond. The Center is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of the modern State of Israel by training a new generation of scholars and teachers, building a vibrant academic community, and supporting research, publications, and conferences. It seeks to make Brandeis a hub for nurturing and catalyzing Israel Studies.