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Social Science Research Institute

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Impact education on both local and global scales

A multi-faceted approach to support and advance research in the Social Sciences

The Social Science Research Institute’s (SSRI) main mission is to coordinate, support, conduct, and disseminate research in the Social Sciences at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI). The SSRI, which is part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, works in close partnership with all AUI schools, research centers, and the larger AUI community.

The SSRI distinguishes itself from other social science research institutions in Morocco and in North Africa by building on AUI’s Mission as an English-medium, not-for-profit, state institution of higher education and research. AUI also benefits from extensive academic, administrative, and financial autonomy. In addition to offering consultancy in Morocco, the SSRI aims to serve as a major research institute in Morocco with the resources and expertise to respond to bids and calls from international institutions.

The SSRI has a strong focus on gender, political, international, and development issues and contributes to current national and international initiatives and debates in all these fields. Social Sciences play a major role in better understanding the social and cultural factors in the development and continue to significantly contribute to the improvement of development programs and policies. In recent years, the focus has shifted to social phenomena through a combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and social scientists have played a key role in this evolution.

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History

In past years, SHSS faculty and students have conducted research on a number of development-related issues. These include:

  • Public opinion survey preceding the legislative elections of 2007;
  • Consultancy in preparation of a parliamentary bill pertaining to the issue of street begging as requested by the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Solidarity;
  • The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) study on poverty alleviation and forest resources management;
  • One project on urban planning of the town of Ifrane;
  • Assessment of tourism in Essaouira;
  • Impact assessment of the Hassan al-Dakhil Dam on the Tafilalt region.
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Activities

SSRI enables academic collaboration across different nations and research fields.

Our guest speaker series, roundtables, workshops, and international conferences ensure that scholars from all corners of the world are able to engage with each other in a professional yet dynamic environment.

Visiting researchers who specialize in Morocco can also benefit from our network’s rich experience when it comes to North Africa-related studies.

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Past Events

The 8th Annual International Conference on Social Sciences: Integrating Social Science and Healthcare in Africa and the Middle East - Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco, 27-29 May 2022

English  |  Arabic  |  French

The 6th Annual International Conference on Social Sciences, Migration in Morocco and Beyond: From Local to Global Dynamics, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco, 25-26 May 2019:
French  |  English  |  Arabic

The 5 Annual Conference on Social Sciences, Regionalization, Governance, and Development, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco, May 26-27, 2018:
English  |  Arabic  |  French

The 4th Annual Social Science Conference, The Environment and Social Transformation, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco, May 19, 20, and 21, 2017: For more information:
English  |  Arabic

Stability and security in Africa: the role of hard and soft power, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, April 4-5, 2017

The Social Sciences and the Dynamics of Change and Continuity in Morocco. A Multidisciplinary conference organized by Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, 23-24 May 2015:
For more information: English  |  French  |  Arabic

International conference on “Smart Cities in North Africa: Morocco leads the way”, June 9-10, 2014.

National Conference on “the State of Social Sciences in Morocco”, May 23-24, 2014.

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Upcoming events

Events

 No Events

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Units

Please click on the Research Unit you would like to view:

Hillary Rodham Clinton Women Empowerment Center

Political and International Studies Research Unit

Human Development Studies Research Unit

Need more information?

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