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MEAWARDS Study Groups and Workshops Study groups and workshops bring together regional researchers from different disciplines who are working on a topic of special relevance to the region. Study group meetings tend to have a substantive focus, while workshops focus on methodological issues. These meetings facilitate communication between scholars working on similar issues and ensure feedback for ongoing projects. They also help in developing conceptual frameworks in areas that have been understudied in the region and identifying new topics of importance in population and development. Study groups and workshops are often planned collaboratively with a university or a research institution in the region. Co-sponsors of study groups and workshops have included the Suez Canal University in Egypt, the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Egypt, Yarmouk University in Jordan, and Bogazici University in Turkey. Study groups and workshops are generally kept small, bringing together 15–20 scholars and professionals for 3–4 days. An effort is made to include both experienced scholars and younger researchers from as many countries in the region as is possible and appropriate to the topic. Current and former awardees and fellows of the program are also invited. The meeting schedule usually includes presentation of formal papers, informal presentation of ongoing research, and brainstorming with the aim of promoting debate and critical discussion. Selected papers may be published as regional working papers in order to reach a larger audience. In a number of cases, study group proceedings have been developed into an edited book. Recent study groups include:
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