UCLA Nazarian Center–CMED (Center for Middle East Development) Student Research Assistants have the unique opportunity to work directly with and support the MENA research of the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center Director, Professor Steven E. Zipperstein, and Research Team Director Warren Fahmy. Research assignments will cover topics ranging from Israeli-Palestinian affairs, to current Middle East diplomacy efforts of countries such as Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, to US policy toward the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Ability to attend bi-weekly meetings (5 meetings per academic quarter) and complete 4-6 hours of research per week
• Superior editing, writing, and research skills; prior research experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to deadlines
• Interest in the Middle East, US Foreign Policy, and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• All majors accepted
• Must maintain above a cumulative 3.0 GPA

How to Apply:

Submit a resume, 2-3 paragraph cover letter, and writing sample to wfahmy@saonet.ucla.edu with the subject line "Research Team Application - Your Name." Applications are currently accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to research, synthesize, and analyze information. Please mention language proficiency (especially written) in Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, and/or Farsi, and if you are available for research team meetings every other Wednesday at 5pm. Specify whether you are applying for one quarter only or for the academic year. Those who can commit to more than one quarter will be given priority.

The Team's Current Research

The research team is looking at various Israeli-Palestinian peace plans and talks that were conducted over the last 30 years. The students are asked to review a plan and discuss the positive points, as well as the factors that lead to the failure of the plans/talks. After this initial assignment, one portion of the research team determines if a more viable plan could be drawn up based on the lessons from the previous plans and talks. The team is currently analyzing the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement and the impact this is having in Israel, with the Palestinians, and in the rest of the region as well as other international actors and world powers.

Research Team Members

Aidan Barraza, Bachelor’s of Sociology & Public Affairs

Arya Jon Darvish, Bachelor’s of Middle East Studies & Statistics and Data Science

Brooke Kirk, Bachelor’s of Public Affairs; Minor in Film, Television, and Digital Media

Carol Nasr, Bachelor’s of Public Affairs & Communications

Christian Hyde, Bachelor’s of Environmental Science; Minor in Public Affairs

Elias Haskins, Bachelor’s of History

Jake Alnapulsi, Bachelor’s of Political Science; Minor in African American Studies

Joshua Darrish (UCSB Alumni), Bachelor’s of Political Science

Laila Delgado, Master of Public Policy

Lucine Ekizian, Bachelor’s of Global Studies; Minor in Professional Writing

Makenna Kramer, Bachelor’s of History & Public Affairs

Nakul Bhatt, Bachelor’s of Political Science

Rida Abbas, Bachelor’s of Political Science & Global Studies

Ridwan Yusufi, Bachelor’s of Political Science (Graduated Spring 2025)

Roxie Popescu, Bachelor’s of Public Affairs

Shira Elyaszadeh (NYU Student), Bachelor’s of International Relations

Sofia Bronshteyn, Bachelor’s of Public Affairs

Sofia Smith, Bachelor’s of Global Studies; Minor in Global Health

William Goldberg, Bachelor’s of Mathematics/Economics