ASI Call for Interns

This is a call for interns in various positions at the Arab Studies Institute. The Arab Studies Instituteis the umbrella organization for the Arab Studies Journal, Jadaliyya, Quilting Point, Forum on Arab and Muslim Affairs (FAMA), and Tadween Publishing. 

Below are the specific positions available for interns at the Institute. All ASI team members volunteer their time to one extent or another. “Internships” fit into this formula during the initial internship period with the possibility of a stipend henceforth.

Applicants need not be based in the Washington, D.C., or Beirut, Lebanon area. All internship positions are virtual unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

Priority deadline: August 30, 2025. We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis afterwards until positions are filled.

We strongly encourage previous applicants to reapply!

ARAB STUDIES INSTITUTE: 

The Arab Studies Institute is seeking interns for various positions, particularly those skilled in social media management, video editing (for YouTube Shorts), and Palestine research. 

Communications Manager 

ASI is seeking a Communications Manager to organize and lead communication efforts across the Institute’s five branches. Applicants should be familiar with promotional software such as MailChimp, as well as the most relevant social media platforms.Creativity and leadership skills are highly valued. This position has the possibility of a stipend depending upon qualifications.

Position responsibilities will include: 

1. Creating weekly campaigns to promote various ASI projects 

2. Coordinate with ASI Social Media Manager to develop and schedule social media campaigns 

3. Communicating important Institute news and updates to team members
   
   

Social Media Manager

ASI is seeking a Social Media Manager to streamline social media across the Institute’s five branches. Applicants should be familiar with all social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), various social media assisting platforms (LinkTree, Buffer) as well as design software (Canva and Photoshop). Candidates should value creativity, and initiative. This position has the possibility of a stipend depending upon qualifications.

Position responsibilities will include: 

1. Designing graphics for all new projects and publications 

2. Promoting said projects and publications via graphics and other innovative means on ASI official social media accounts 

3. Collaborating with the ASI Broadcast Team to promote live-streaming content

4. Collaborating with the ASI Broadcast Team to update our database of broadcast guests current with appropriate social media handles and information
   
   

Video/Audio Editors

ASI is seeking interns who have experience editing audio and video to help produce shows, interviews, and events produced by ASI. Applicants must have a working proficiency in Final Cut Pro. 

Internship responsibilities will include:

1. Edit audio and video files for special events and ongoing series affiliated with any of ASI’s five branches.

2. Assist the ASI Broadcast Team in keeping up a schedule of audio-visual production.

ARAB STUDIES JOURNAL:

Arab Studies Journal (ASJ) is a peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary research publication in the field of Arab and Middle East Studies. ASJ is published by the Arab Studies Institute (ASI) and is housed at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.

Circulation Manager

Arab Studies Journal (ASJ) is hiring a Subscriptions Manager to begin immediately. We are seeking a candidate who has experience with the publishing process and working with a team remotely. Applicants must have working proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets.

JADALIYYA:

Jadaliyya is an independent e-zine that provides a unique source of insight and critical analysis that combines local knowledge, scholarship, and advocacy with an eye to audiences in the United States, the Middle East, and beyond.

Media Roundup Coordinators

Media roundup editors will be responsible for managing, scheduling, and augmenting the material for either a weekly or monthly roundup for a particular page, in coordination with the page editors. Positions are available for Jadaliyya’s Maghreb Page, Palestine Page, Environment Page, Arabian Peninsula, and Turkey Page. Jadaliyya is seeking applicants who can speak English, Arabic, French, or Turkish.

Internship responsibilities will include:

1. Curate and annotate the media roundup based on our standard operating procedures.

2. Perform basic copyediting on all roundup articles.

3. Maintaining a routine monthly schedule for roundup posts.

4. Coordinate with the page editor for strategies and content.

KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION PROJECT: 

Knowledge Production Project is a dynamic, open-access archive, search tool, and data visualization platform. This project, almost a decade in the making, endeavors to gather, organize, and make available for analysis all knowledge produced on the Middle East since 1979, in nine databases.

Peer-Reviewed Articles Database Researchers

The Knowledge Production Project is seeking research assistants to work on the Peer-Reviewed Articles Database. Experience with data entry is preferred, but not required for this position. 

Responsibilities for the Peer-Reviewed Articles Database research assistants will include:

1. Researching and cataloging peer-reviewed articles related to the Middle East.

2. Evaluating the content and method of production of said articles.

3. Work closely with the database coordinator to decide upon new paths of research.

MESPI (Middle East Studies Pedagogy Initiative): 

The Middle East Studies Pedagogy Initiative (MESPI) is a project of FAMA, ASI's research arm. MESPI is a curated interactive platform for Middle East Studies resources specifically tailored to the needs of teachers, researchers, and students.

Peer-Reviewed Articles Review Assistant

The Peer-Reviewed Article Reviews team curates a collection of journals and their articles concerned with the Middle East and Arab world. This series is published seasonally. Each issue consists of one-to-three parts, depending on the number of articles included.

Internship responsibilities will include:

1. Mining and cataloging peer-reviewed articles on or about the Middle East

2. Analyzing samples of data and identifying trends in knowledge production around a specific country or topic
   
   

Geographies of the Future - Research Assistant

ASI is co-sponsor of “Geographies of the Future: Traveling the Arab-majority world through virtual reality” which brings together 8 artists/artist collectives from the MENA/SWANA region to render impossible worlds and alternative futures through experimentation with virtual media and film. The exhibition will be installed simultaneously at several US universities and an institution in the MENA/SWANA region, in Fall 2024. 

The project is looking for a Research Assistant/intern to provide support with exhibition fundraising, promotion and coordination. The ideal Research Assistant/intern would have an interest in contemporary art/photography/digital media and the environment. Skills in graphic design, (experience with SketchUp/Adobe Suite is a plus) and/or web design experience would be a plus. The RA will gain skills in grant writing/proof reading for applications to major US funders including NEH, exhibition design and implementation, and supporting with project and stakeholder management. This is an exciting opportunity for any student/graduate who would like to help realise an ambitious project, alongside a collaborative team of academics, activists and curators.

STATUS:

Status/الوضع is an audio-visual magazine which features interviews/conversations, on-the-scene reports, reviews, informed commentary, and lectures held around the world on the Middle East and North Africa.

Social Media Assistants

Status is seeking social media assistants to help with audio-visual content and social media more broadly. Experience with website editing/management is a plus.

Internship responsibilities will include:

1. Assist with organizing and promoting Status content on social media

2. Assisting with the Status website

3. Includes the possibility of the intern contributing their own recorded interviews to the website
   
   

Audio-Visual Editor

Status is seeking interns who have experience editing audio and video to help curate the content featured in the bi-annual issues. Applicants must have a working proficiency in Final Cut Pro. 

Internship responsibilities will include:

1. Edit audio and video files to be featured in bi-annual issue releases.

2. Assist the Status team in ensuring the timely posting of new podcasts.
   
   

Producer

Status is seeking producers for its various broadcasts and programs. Applicants must have strong organizational and leadership skills.  

Internship responsibilities will include:

1. Curating a schedule of content releases.

2. Assisting the Status team in booking new talents to be interviewed on various programs. 

3. Assist in the editing of existing audio-visual content. 

Benefit to the Student Intern:

Of foremost concern to ASI is the benefits the student will receive while completing this program, and we expect that each student intern will have the opportunity to achieve the following benefits in addition to working toward academic credit:

- Career-related experience

- Practical knowledge of the field

- Opportunity to explore career avenues

- Valuable experience for CVs/resumes

- Increased practice-based self-confidence

- Training that enhances conventional classroom learning methods

- Letters of recommendation from supervisor(s) and co-workers