Arezou Azad is the new President of the Middle East Medievalists

In December 2022, Dr Arezou Azad, Invisible East project's PI, was elected President of the Middle East Medievalists (MEM). 

Azad takes over the presidency of the North American association from Stephennie Mulder, associate professor of Islamic Art and Architecture at the University of Texas. 

In her statement to the members of the association, Areozu stated her goals for the next three years: "My vision for MEM is underpinned by five key aims: first, to diversify MEM’s research and outreach support to as many languages and regions of the medieval Islamicate world as possible; secondly, to expand MEMbership that can ensure greater financial stability and boost MEM’s impact; third, to expand our portfolio of MEM projects, for example, through the establishment of new fellowships for scholars at risk and those working in neglected areas of research, and stepped up provision of financial support to the open access journal Al-ʿUṣūr al-Wusṭā; fourth, to establish a more regular, up-to-date information stream with our MEMbership on our activities and plans; and fifth, to expand our events focus beyond MESA to other, non-US based conferences and events."

The Invisible East team congratulates Arezou for this achievement and wishes her best of luck on her new endeavour.