By Suha Alsubaihi
The University of Jordan (UJ) launched a new pioneering research group titled “Innovations in Social Policy”, as part of its continuous efforts to promote applied scientific research and strengthen its role in serving the community and shaping evidence-based public policies.
The research group represents a national, multidisciplinary initiative that seeks to advance social policy development through evidence-based research, technological innovation, and broad community engagement. The initiative aims to contribute to addressing social and economic challenges facing Jordan and the Arab region.
It also seeks to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and encourage active community participation, while supporting policymakers in designing practical interventions that promote social equity, expand employment opportunities, and uphold human dignity.
The group’s work will concentrate on several strategic areas, including developing evidence-based policies through data analysis and assessment of existing strategies to design flexible and responsive approaches to social and economic challenges; designing and implementing inclusive policies through the participation of stakeholders to meet the needs of all community segments; and employing AI technologies to analyze data and forecast future social and economic transformations.
The research team comprises a distinguished group of academics and experts from both within and outside the university.
From UJ, the team includes: Dr. Manal Anabtawi, Dr. Talal Al-Qdah, and Dr. Reham Abu Ghaboush from the Department of Social Work, Dr. Walid Al-Khatib, from the Center for Strategic Studies, Dr. Maha Al-Samhouri from the Department of Philosophy, as well as Dr. Rakan Abu Orabi from the Department of Sociology.
The group also includes prominent academics and researchers from regional and international institutions: Prof. Fakhir Al Gharaibeh (Director of Research Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah, UAE, and Honorary Professor at UJ), Prof. Hmoud Olimat (Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar), Dr. Mohammad Muqaddadi (Secretary-General of the National Council for Family Affairs, Jordan), and Researcher Sarah Taha (PhD Candidate in Social Work, University of Melbourne, Australia).
The establishment of this research group reflects UJ’s ongoing commitment to advancing applied social research and supporting knowledge-based policymaking. It demonstrates the university’s dedication to fostering academic and community collaboration at both national and regional levels, reinforcing its position as a leading research institution in developing innovative solutions and policies to address contemporary social challenges.
For more information about the research group, please visit: