The need for research into the drivers, trends, and trajectory of current events in the Arab region is increasingly urgent. This project will support the Arab Council for the Social Sciences' (ACSS) work to address regional problems through policy-relevant research. Filling gaps in knowledge There is a lack of rigorous analytical knowledge and synthesis, despite the steady growth in journalistic commentary and the number of media outlets sharing information on daily developments. ACSS strives to fill this gap by strengthening social science research in the Arab region. The Council is a regional, independent, non-profit organization. Established in 2012, it has support from IDRC, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Ford Foundation. ACSS aims to create, disseminate, validate, and use social science research, and to enrich public debate about the challenges facing Arab societies. It also aims to enhance the role of social science in Arab public life and to inform public policy in the region. Expanding social science research At this critical point in the Arab region, ACSS' three-year project will -institutionalize and strengthen ACSS' ability to implement programs that help improve and expand social science research to address regional problems -foster a new generation of social scientists integrated into regional networks and producing policy-relevant research This will be achieved through three types of activities and programs: -two research working groups on themes relevant to the region - working groups and a postdoctoral fellowship program to build young researchers' capacity -outreach activities to investigate and strengthen the linkages between research, advocacy, and policy in the region
