2027 BRISMES Conference – Venue Announcement
We are very pleased to announce that our next BRISMES conference will be held at Newcastle University from 22–24 June 2027.
Latest News
Recent news from the Society
Submissions Open for 2027 Leigh Douglas Memorial Prize
We are pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the 2027 Leigh Douglas Memorial Prize. The prize is awarded annually to the writer of the best PhD dissertation on a Middle Eastern topic in the Social Sciences or Humanities awarded by a British...
Statement from BRISMES Council on the loss of Professor Jason Arday
We are writing to acknowledge the horror, sadness and rage many of us are feeling over the devastating loss of Professor Jason Arday, and to recognise how this might intensify existing feelings of vulnerability, fear and exposure among members of our...
Academic Freedom | Letter to Iranian Authorities Regarding Proposed Bill Restricting International Academic Cooperation
The BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom has written to Iranian authorities urging them not to adopt the proposed Bill to Counter the Infiltration of Foreign Intelligence Services and Governments or Foreign Entities. We are deeply concerned that the...
Academic Freedom | Statement about the ongoing detention of Yashar Darolshafa and repressive actions against students in Iran
The British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) Committee on Academic Freedom expresses deep concern over the ongoing detention of Iranian scholar and civil rights activist Mr Yashar Darolshafa, who was violently arrested on 1 June 2026 at his...
Press Release | New BRISMES report warns of growing threats to academic freedom in the UK, Europe and the Middle East
First annual report documents restrictions on free expression, attacks on universities, and repression of scholars across multiple countries.
Professor John Chalcraft Receives BRISMES Award for Services to Middle Eastern Studies
We are very pleased to announce that Professor John Chalcraft is the recipient of the 2025 Award for Services to Middle Eastern Studies, presented at our Annual Conference in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field.
BRISMES Welcomes Newly Elected Officers and Council Members
For members who were unable to attend this year's Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place during the Annual Conference in London, we are pleased to announce the ratification of the appointments of our new and returning Council members.