Sabiha Allouche Joins MERIP Board of Directors

Sabiha Allouche has joined the Board of Directors for the Middle East Research and Information Project, according to an organizational announcement from the group. Allouche brings a background in gender and sexuality studies, critical security studies, migration, and social mobility to the publishing and research organization.

Academic background and MERIP contributions

Allouche works as a Senior Lecturer in Middle East Politics at the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. Her history with the organization spans several roles, including serving as an issue editor for the recent volume Art at Work–People, Power and Cultural Production and the Spring 2025 issue New Gender Frontlines. She also helped organize event series such as the Iran in Context web discussions.

Beyond her editorial work with MERIP, Allouche recently served on the board of the British Society for Middle East Studies and acts as an Associate Editor at the British Journal of Middle East Studies.

Leadership changes and future publishing goals

MERIP Executive Director James Ryan announced the board election while noting the departure of outgoing board member Kaveh Ehsani. I am thrilled to have Sabiha Allouche’s wisdom and guidance through the Board of Directors as we steer MERIP into an exciting, sustainable future, Ryan stated in the announcement.

Kaveh has been a valued contributor to the direction MERIP has taken the last several years, in addition to being a staunch advocate for our mission and an engaging podcast guest.

James Ryan

Alongside the board transition, the organization is pursuing a campaign to return to print through monthly reader donations.