Archive for July 4th, 2025

The SALAM project, under the PRISME Initiative, in collaboration with the Sectarianism, Proxies, and De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) project at Lancaster University’s Richardson Institute, invites proposals for an upcoming online workshop focused on the interrelations between sectarianism, transnational politics, and militarization in and with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
This collaborative workshop seeks to engage scholars, policymakers, and experts – particularly emerging voices – to explore how sectarian identities, sectarian governance, and transnational dynamics have fueled militarization and security dilemmas in the region. Discussions will also identify pathways to shift security narratives beyond sectarian divides and transnational conflicts, aligning with PRISME’s mission of fostering non-militarized, inclusive security approaches.
Workshop Overview:
Scheduled for mid to late September 2025, this online workshop will bring together eight scholars and practitioners from the MENA region, Europe, and North America. Participants will engage in open dialogue on the intersections of sectarianism and militarization, exploring the roles of state and non-state actors, foreign intervention, and alternative governance models. Key topics include:
*   Sectarianism and Security Dilemmas: How have sectarian politics shaped state security strategies? To what extent have sectarian narratives justified militarization and repression?
*   Transnational Conflicts and Militarized Alliances: How have regional and international actors instrumentalized sectarianism to advance geopolitical and military objectives?
*   Militarization of Identity: How have sectarian divides contributed to arms accumulation, paramilitary formations, and regional arms races?
*   De-Sectarianization and Security Reframing: Can alternative security narratives challenge sectarian securitization? How can states and societies move beyond sectarian-militarized paradigms?
*   Case Studies and Historical Perspectives: What can be learned from past efforts at sectarian de-escalation and non-military security solutions?
Submission Guidelines
We welcome proposals from scholars across disciplines, particularly early-career researchers. Abstracts should be 250 words, outlining the central question, argument, and approach of the proposed 2,000-word memo, with a clear focus on how your perspective will contribute to this cross-regional dialogue.
Please send your abstract to office@prismeinitiative.org , by July 9, 2025, with the subject line: “SALAM-SEPAD Sectarianism Workshop Proposal.”
Once selected, authors will be required to submit a full draft of their 2,000-word memo by August 31, 2025. After the workshop, participants will have time to revise their drafts based on the discussions and feedback during the event. Final drafts will be due on October 12, 2025, and the memos will then be published individually on the PRISME and SEPAD websites throughout October and November.
Authors whose memos are finalized and submitted by the October 12 deadline will receive an honorarium in recognition of their contribution.
About PRISME and the SALAM Project
The PRISME Initiative envisions a reconceptualization of security in the Middle East and North Africa beyond militarized frameworks, engaging diverse stakeholders to promote collaborative approaches. By fostering constructive dialogue, PRISME seeks to encourage new strategic relations that contribute to a more peaceful and stable future.
As part of this vision, the SALAM project (Sustaining Alternative Links beyond Arms and the Military), facilitates discussions on sustainable security alternatives to arms-based policies. Previous SALAM workshops have notably explored the role of the arms trade in MENA’s international relations; the economic trade-offs of arms manufacturing and trade; and the socio-political consequences of militarized policies. Each discussion has questioned the reliance on military solutions, highlighting the need for innovative, cooperative approaches to regional security.
About SEPAD:
The SEPAD project (Sectarianism, Proxies, and De-sectarianisation), based at Lancaster University’s Richardson Institute, is an international research network aimed at understanding the conditions that give rise to sectarian violence and transnational conflicts. SEPAD brings together over 60 experts and early-career scholars from more than 20 countries, fostering interdisciplinary research and policy engagement to create space for the de-sectarianization of socio-political life.
Dr. Emma SOUBRIER
Ingénieure de recherche, Institut de la Paix et du Développement, LADIE, Université Côte d’Azur
Directrice, Pathways to Renewed and Inclusive Security in the Middle East (PRISME) Initiative
Associated Researcher, World Peace Foundation, Fletcher School, Tufts University
Non-Resident Fellow, the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW)
Expert, the Forum on Arms Trade