Higher Education in the Arab Region
Resilience, Rebuilding, and Recovery
Will be published approx. on 31. October 2026
Book
Hardback
300 pages
978-1-009-75989-2 (ISBN)
Description
The Arab region has suffered over a decade of extreme conflict, with significant repercussions for the development of higher education in conflict-affected countries. Yet higher education remains marginal to recovery debates in the region. This book addresses this gap through comparative analysis of five war-affected contexts: Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza. Based on extensive fieldwork and sustained policy engagement, it reveals how universities have endured protracted conflict, adapted under extreme constraints, and participated in reconstruction efforts-often with minimal external support. Challenging dominant approaches to post-conflict intervention, it foregrounds local agency, institutional adaptation, and nationally driven processes. It also documents the shift toward recognizing higher education as both a humanitarian concern and a developmental priority. This is the first study to position universities at the center of recovery discourse in conflict-affected Arab states. This is a Flip it Open title and may be available open access on Cambridge Core.
Reviews / Votes
'Sansom Milton documents the extraordinary resilience of the universities of the Arab world, reminding us that even in bitter conflict and devastating war, from Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Gaza, the thirst for knowledge is unquenchable and the value of education incalculable. While rebuilding and recovery may seem like distant goals, the message here is heartening and it deserves a wide and attentive audience.' Lisa Anderson, Former President of the American University in Cairo 'This is an important and timely book on an under-researched topic. As Sansom Milton shows, higher education is a crucial future-shaping resource in contexts with young populations. This book is highly recommended and is an excellent contribution to our understanding of the complexities of post-war reconstruction.' Roger Mac Ginty, Durham University 'A pioneering and deeply grounded study that convincingly places higher education at the center of post-conflict recovery. Essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working at the intersection of education, conflict, and rebuilding.' Alpaslan Ozerdem, Dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University 'A splendid work of scholarship by Sansom Milton, grounded in primary data and regional engagement. This book offers both insight and hope for higher education in the Arab world.' Fadlo R. Khuri, MD, President, American University of BeirutMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Weight
5 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-75989-2 (9781009759892)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 10/2026
Cambridge University Press
€52.50
Not yet published
Person
Sansom Milton is Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies in Doha. His research focuses on conflict mediation, post-conflict recovery, and higher education in crisis settings, drawing on extensive fieldwork and practitioner engagement across the Arab region.
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Theoretical Foundations; 3. Higher Education, Development, and Conflict in the Arab Region; 4. Iraq: Academia under Occupation; 5. Libya: Higher Education through Uprising, War, and Transition; 6. Syria: Higher Education at War and the Post-Assad Landscape; 7. Yemen: Survival amidst the World's Worst Humanitarian Crisis; 8. The Gaza Strip: From Universities under Siege to Scholasticide; 9. Strategic Pillars of Higher Education in the Arab Region; Reference List; Index.