Bessma Momani, a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, will receive $225,000 in funding over three years to support her research about Arab-Canadian youth.
"It's a group that's been targeted for its connection to homeland politics and issues," said Professor Momani, who is also a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the author of several books and journal articles. "My research has found that Arab-Canadians do feel targeted by government policies, and that many aren't perceived as welcomed into Canadian society, even though many have a deep history in this country."
The funding will enable Professor Momani to travel to seven cities in Canada that have larger Arab populations, to get their views on living in Canadian society, how they feel about their portrayal as Arabs in the media, and what can be done to improve their sense of belonging in Canada's multicultural society.
“The Faculty of Arts is enormously proud to see the Trudeau Fellowship go to Bessma Momani, whose research expertise and impact perfectly exemplifies the global and human perspectives to which our Faculty is deeply committed," said Douglas Peers, dean of the Faculty of Arts. "To see Professor Momani’s research insights on political, social and economic issues of the Middle East extend to Arab youth in Canada is especially timely.”
Professor Momani plans to share the information she gathers through her own writing and opinion pieces to educate the public and inform policy in this area.
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation named five new fellows as part of today's announcement. They represent all disciplines of the humanities and social sciences. The projects they propose are collaborative, featuring participation from other fellows and scholars. For more information on the 2015 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellows, please visit the foundation's website.
