The University of Jordan (UJ), represented by the School of Arts and Design, has launched a new specialized research group titled “Women Shaping the Arts”, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance research excellence and innovation in the field of the arts, and within its initiative to support multidisciplinary research groups aimed at advancing scientific research and strengthening the role of the arts as an effective cognitive and cultural tool in society.

The research group seeks to empower women in the field of the arts and highlight their achievements, while addressing the key challenges that limit and undermine their artistic production. Its research interests focus on monitoring and analysing the representation of women in artworks across different cultural and social contexts; examining the artistic styles and the visual and audio messages produced by women from a gender perspective; documenting the experiences of women artists around the world and analysing their creative visions; and studying the challenges faced by women creators across various artistic fields. The group also explores the role of women artists in shedding light on critical issues within the social fabric through their creative work.

The research group includes a distinguished group of academics, artists, and researchers from the School of Arts and Design and the Center for Women’s Studies. Members include Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Dr. Majd qasas; Associate Professor at the Center for Women’s Studies Dr. Amani Al-Serhan; Director of the National Center for Culture and Arts Lina Attall; Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Hiba Abbasi; Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the Department of Visual Arts Diala Al Daghlise; and Instructor in the Department of Theatre Arts Joyce Raie, in addition to graduate student in the Department of Theatre Arts Rawan Barakat Abu Alfailat.

The group’s research collaboration also extends to include partners and experts from international universities and research institutions, including Professor of Arts at New Mexico Highlands University, USA, Prof. Erika Derkas, reflecting the interdisciplinary and international character of the group, strengthening the integration of expertise across generations, and highlighting the diversity of women’s creative fields.

Through its future activities, including exhibitions, workshops and collaborative research projects, the group aspires to contribute to shaping a more balanced and humane future in which women are at the heart of the creative and cultural scene.

For more information about the research group,(click here)