About

About CMES

Founded in 1963, the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) promotes the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the University of California, Berkeley, and beyond, raising public awareness of the region’s diverse peoples, languages, cultures and their connection to wider global contexts.  CMES's more than 60 Senior Research Scholars cover a depth and breadth of disciplinary expertise, including but not limited to, anthropology, archaeology, Egyptology, Islamic studies, Jewish studies,  political science, and sociology.  We provide a number of funding opportunities for students and faculty across campus, including grants for overseas language study and research and travel grants.

History

Founded in 1963, the Center for Middle Eastern Studies promotes the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the University of California, Berkeley, and beyond, raising public awareness of the region’s diverse peoples, languages, cultures and their connection to wider global contexts. CMES is widely recognized as one of the country’s most important sources of knowledge about the Arab world, Iran, Israel, and Turkey. The Center has been a Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center over the course of some three deacdes, and our activities further...

Statement of Community

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies is a non-partisan research unit. In keeping with the University's Principles of Community, we uphold the values of free speech, civility, and collegiality. We seek to advance human knowledge and understanding through reasoned dialogue, rigorous research, and engagement with diverse points of view. We condemn any form of hate speech, racism, bigotry, or discriminatory behavior against any individual or group. As we seek to be a maximally...

People

CMES staff and faculty and student affiliates

Committees

CMES is governed by an Executive Steering Committee, consisting of UC Berkeley tenured faculty specializing in the Middle East from different disciplines.

Visiting Scholar Programs

The Center hosts a small number of visiting affiliates for appointments ranging from 3 to 12 months. Visiting affiliations with CMES are available on a restricted basis and subject to review by the CMES Director. Successful applicants are given affiliation, library privileges, access to campus facilities, and office space at CMES (depending on availability). They are encouraged to attend CMES events, and to meet with students and faculty to discuss their area of expertise.

For a list of current visitors at CMES, click...

Contact us

Center for Middle Eastern Studies
University of California, Berkeley

340 Stephens Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-2314
cmes@berkeley.edu
Fax: (510) 643-3001

Hours:

Tu-Th 12-4 (during Fall-Spring semesters)

By appointment only (summer and holiday periods)