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Nadia Wardeh

Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies

School of Arts & Sciences

Department of International and Middle Eastern Studies

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Ph.D. in Islamic Studies, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University (Montreal)
MA. in Islamic Studies, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University
BA. in History/minor in Philosophy, University of Jordan (Amman)

Dr. Nadia Wardeh is an Associate Professor with two decades of dedicated service in academia, specializing in Middle Eastern, Islamic, and Arabic Studies. She earned her Ph.D. with honors in Islamic Studies from the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill University and has been recognized with several teaching excellence awards from both Canada and the American University in Dubai.

Dr. Wardeh joined the American University in Dubai (AUD) in August 2009 as an adjunct faculty member and was appointed Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies in August 2010. Prior to joining AUD, she spent ten years at McGill University in Montreal, where she began her academic career as a postgraduate fellow, Ph.D. candidate, and course lecturer. During her tenure at McGill, she engaged with students, faculty, researchers, and prominent public figures to promote cultural and religious diversity. She also organized several international and national conferences in both Canada and the UAE, which were recognized as great successes and significant contributions to the academic community.

Throughout her career in both Canada and the UAE, Dr. Wardeh has enriched her academic portfolio by teaching a diverse array of courses, including religion, history, culture, literature, Arabic language, and interdisciplinary subjects. She has developed and popularized several courses that have become student favorites. Passionate about teaching and dedicated to transmitting knowledge, Dr. Wardeh employs a variety of innovative methods both inside and outside the classroom. She believes that knowledge is an eternal journey, and her pedagogical approach reflects this belief by fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment.

Dr. Wardeh is committed to creating immersive learning experiences that encourage students to develop critical thinking skills and gain insights into complex sociocultural and historical issues. Her interdisciplinary teaching methods and emphasis on hands-on experiences highlight her belief that education extends beyond traditional boundaries.

In addition to her teaching, Dr. Wardeh is an active scholar who regularly participates in conferences and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in her field. She has received numerous research awards from countries such as Canada, Austria, Belgium, Turkey, and Germany. Her publications include a book on cultural heritage in contemporary Arab thought, chapters in significant volumes, and articles in esteemed peer-reviewed journals. Her research focuses on Middle Eastern and Islamic history and culture, addressing topics such as modern Arab thinkers, Islamic thought, and issues related to women, youth, religion, and culture.

Dr. Wardeh is also involved in several scholarly organizations and serves on steering committees for higher education foundations. Beyond her academic and scholarly pursuits, she is a creative writer whose Arabic poetry and prose have been translated into English and featured in anthologies. Her poems have been exhibited at art events in the UAE and Lebanon. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling, and exploring new places. She has a particular passion for discovering unique flavors of coffee around the world and hosting a monthly literary salon to discuss arts, literature, and sociocultural issues.

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