Northwestern Qatar is expanding its digital footprint with the launch of its official podcast platform, now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. This initiative brings the university’s thought leadership and scholarly conversations to a global audience, offering in-depth discussions on some of today’s most pressing issues.
“The launch of Northwestern Qatar’s podcast platform is yet another step to advance critical dialogue and share knowledge beyond the classroom,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “By leveraging digital audio storytelling, we are not only amplifying faculty research and academic discussions but also providing a space for emerging voices to engage in conversations that shape our understanding of the media and the world.”
The inaugural series features insights from the recent Rawabet conference, “Journalism in the Global South: Expanding Epistemological Frameworks.” The series opens with Professor Silvio Waisbord and Associate Professor Eddy Borges-Rey, who examine how historical and contemporary influences shape epistemological frameworks in journalism, challenging dominant narratives. Building on this discussion, journalist and author Zahra Hankir joins Professor Ilhem Allagui to explore how women in the Global South are reshaping media spaces through independent platforms and feminist entrepreneurship.
The conversation then shifts to the evolving role of independent journalists, freelancers, and nonprofit media organizations, with Professor Kalyani Chadha and Assistant Professor Scheherazade Safla-Gaffoor analyzing how these entities are redefining traditional journalism practices.
“By leveraging digital audio storytelling, we are not only amplifying faculty research and academic discussions but also providing a space for emerging voices to engage in conversations that shape our understanding of the media and the world.”
Next, Professor Hanan Badr and Associate Professor Ibrahim Abusharif look into the ontological and epistemological foundations of journalism in the Global South, examining their influence on journalistic practices and their evolution over time. The focus then turns to the integration of Artificial Intelligence in journalism education, as Associate Professor Walid Al-Saqaf and Assistant Professor Claudia Kozman discuss the ethical challenges and opportunities AI presents in shaping the future of the field.
Concluding the series, Visiting Associate Professor William Youmans and Professor Tanja Bosch explore the rise of social media influencers and self-media in journalism, assessing their impact on traditional media practices and audience engagement. Together, these conversations highlight the dynamic forces reshaping journalism in the Global South and offer new perspectives on the industry’s future.
“This podcast is the result of a collaborative effort between faculty and students and the Communication and Public Affairs Department, bringing critical research discussions to a broader audience,” said Scheherazade Safla-Gaffoor, assistant professor at Northwestern Qatar, who teaches podcasting and produced the series with students Retag Mustafa and Juyoung Kim. “Through these episodes, we aim to spark conversations that challenge dominant narratives and showcase various perspectives in journalism and media studies.”
By launching this dedicated platform, Northwestern Qatar is creating new avenues for engagement with its research and academic programming. Future series will continue to highlight the community’s interdisciplinary work, faculty research, and global collaborations, reinforcing the university’s commitment to knowledge exchange and innovation.
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