Southeast Regional Middle East and Islamic Studies Society

SERMEISS NEWS

SERMEISS 2024 Book and Article Awards Announcement

We are delighted to announce the winners of the SERMEISS 2024 Book and Article Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the scholarship on the Middle East and Islamic Studies published in the last two years.

Book Award: This year, the SERMEISS Book Award is awarded to Jessica Barnes (University of South Carolina) for her exceptional work, Staple Security: Bread and Wheat in Egypt. The book award committee praised Barnes' work for being "exceedingly well written and introducing the compelling concept of ‘staple security,’ which extends far beyond the immediate context of Egypt. Her insightful analysis delves deep into the practices of rural Egyptians within a broader framework of food and security, showcasing the transparency of her research methods and her innovative approaches to overcoming field research challenges. Her comprehensive understanding of the region beyond the mere question of food security makes this book a significant academic contribution and a pleasure to read."

The committee also awarded an Honorable Mention to Dr. Nebil Husayn (University of Miami) for his insightful book, Opposing the Imam: The Legacy of the Nawasib in Islamic Literature. 

Article/Book Chapter Award:  The Article/Book Chapter Award Committee faced a significant challenge this year, selecting from many outstanding submissions covering a diverse range of topics. After careful consideration, the award has been granted to Ella Fratantuono (UNC Charlotte) for her groundbreaking work, Colonization, Territorialization and Displacement in Ottoman Migration Policy, 1856-1918. Fratantuono's work provides a crucial historical understanding of expulsion and colonization within the Ottoman immigration story and "concludes by considering what, if anything, is relevant in the Ottoman colonization story to Turkey’s treatment of Syrian refugees in the 21st century."

Congratulations to all our awardees for their  contributions to Middle Eastern and Islamic studies. Their works continue to inspire and advance our understanding of this complex and dynamic region. 

On behalf of the entire Executive Committee, I'd also like to thank all the committee members for their hard work and dedication to maintaining the high standards of our scholarly community.

Fall 2024 Annual Meeting Registration is Open!

As the temperatures drop and the crisp fall air settles over the Carolinas, it feels like the perfect time to share the program and registration details for our upcoming Fall Meeting! From October 18 to 20, we’ll return to Valle Crucis, NC, where we will reconnect with familiar faces, meet new ones, and engage in meaningful discussions on Islam and the Middle East—all while enjoying the fall scenery in the mountains.

This year, our meeting coincides with the Valle Crucis Fair, and our Program Chair, Dr. Curt Ryan, has ensured that you’ll have plenty of downtime on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the fair, hike in the mountains, visit nearby waterfalls, or simply relax and take in the beautiful surroundings from the porch.

As always, we have a strong lineup of papers and presentations that promise to be both engaging and thought-provoking. Dr. Emek Ergun will deliver the Bodman Lecture this year on "The Middle East in Translation: Feminist Encounters Across Borders," and we’ll conclude the meeting on Sunday with a roundtable discussion titled "Gaza and the Middle East, One Year Later," during which we will reflect on current developments and explore new questions about the region’s future.

The program provides all the details. While we may make a few minor adjustments as we finalize everything, no major changes are expected—so feel free to start making your plans to join us in October!

Registration Information:

To register, simply fill out the registration form and submit your payment via PayPal at paypal.me/sermeiss. Alternatively, you can mail your completed form and check to the address below, making sure it arrives by October 6. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to Buket Oztas, Executive Director, at edsermeiss@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!