The Nahrein Network

The Nahrein Network was an interdisciplinary, Iraqi-centred research initiative based in the History Department at University College London, and directed by Professor Eleanor Robson. It supported and championed the sustainable development of history, heritage and the humanities in Iraq. We were funded by AHRC-GCRF in 2017–21 and with a generous philanthropic gift to UCL in 2021–25.

We brought together academics, practitioners and communities across Iraq and the UK to foster locally-led research, strengthen higher education and empower diverse voices to better serve local needs. 

Though the Network has now closed, you can find a record of our work, our partnerships and the enduring impact of our shared efforts at  https://nahreinnetwork.org/

What we achieved

• Supported 30 locally-led research projects on the sustainable development of cultural heritage in Iraq and its neighbours
• Collaborated with the British Institute for the Study of Iraq and other partners to host 34 short-term Visiting Scholarships to the UK
• Trained 196 Iraqi researchers through the British Academy Writing Workshops and the AcademIQ programme
• Fully funded three graduate studentships at UCL
• Conducted our own research on digital approaches to Iraqi cultural heritage and ancient Middle Eastern languages, the colonial history of archaeology in Iraq, the role of museums, and the politics of post-conflict heritage
• Provided policy advice and briefings for partners in Iraq, the UK, and far beyond
• Disseminated our events, activities and findings through webinars, colloquia, podcasts, social media, newsletters, policy reports and academic publications 

To make all this happen, we have worked with many amazing people and made many wonderful friends. Back in 2016–17, Professor Paul Collins, Dr Saad Eskander, Ms Louise Haxthausen, and Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid worked with me on the original project design and grant applications. Co-directors since then have included Dr Anwar Anaid, Professor Paul Collins, Dr Saad Eskander, Dr Jaafar Jotheri, and Dr Rozhen Mohammed-Amin. Staff members in London and Iraq have included Dr Nadia Aït-Saïd Ghanem, Mrs Oana Borlea-Stancioi, Dr Parsa Daneshmand, Dr Misha Enayat, Ms Rahma Ismail, Dr Mehiyar Kathem, Mrs Zainab Mahdi, and Dr Amani Suleiman. We have relied on many wise Management Committee members, a brilliant team of trainers for AcademIQ, and the time and enthusiasm of several student interns. We have benefitted from strong partnerships with ministries and embassies, NGOs and cultural organisations, and many, many universities across the UK, Iraq and beyond. And behind the scenes, multiple people in research support departments across UCL have facilitated programming, payments, contracts, and travel for us. There are far too many people to list here, but you know who you are, and I hope you know how grateful I am for your unfailing support and enthusiasm. 

The Network was originally funded in 2017–21 by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), by means of a Global Challenges Research Fund Network Plus grant (AH/R005370/1) and a wonderful group of research officers. Since then, we have been the beneficiaries of an astonishingly generous philanthropic gift from a steadfast donor. Reflecting on our achievements, they write:

The Nahrein Network’s work has been incredible and in so many ways, groundbreaking. It has managed to marry research, community building, skills building, educational infrastructure, heritage, and so many strands that needed to come together in places where that really matters. I will always be grateful to have been a small part of it, and grateful for the work the Network team has done and the lasting impact it has had. The Network more than delivered on a vision that really grew from the ground up, and that expanded upon to meet the changing landscape and totally unforeseen challenges. Thank you for everything. 

I am beyond grateful to all the Network’s staff and partners, friends and supporters, all over the world. Together we have achieved far more than I ever dreamed of when the idea began to take shape back in 2016. But I won’t pretend that it has always been easy, and the relentless need to manage the complexity of the Network has finally started to take its toll on me this year. So it’s time to bring our wonderful adventure together to a gradual close. 

Yours truly, 

Eleanor 
— 
Eleanor Robson, FBA, FRHistS 
Professor of Ancient Middle Eastern History 
Director of the Nahrein Network 
University College London