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MIDDLE EAST STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 136220175 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE V35Z · Social Science · Small ($100K-$1M) · mesana.org
revenue
$852K
expenses
$608K
net assets
$2.5M
employees
4
volunteers
12
program ratio
79%
mission · from form 990

TO PROMOTE HIGH STANDARDS OF SCHOLARSHIP AND INSTRUCTION IN MIDDLE EAST STUDIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) is a scholarly organization that supports the study of the Middle East and North Africa. It advocates for academic freedom and free speech, particularly concerning discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related boycotts. MESA also addresses issues related to government funding for area studies and its potential impact on academic independence.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Annual Meeting Program Committee
Organizes discussions and forums at MESA annual meetings, including on topics like academic boycotts.
Committee on Academic Freedom
Works with the MESA Board of Directors to implement resolutions related to academic freedom and free speech.
Nominating Committee
A permanent committee of the association responsible for nominations.
Publications Committee
A permanent committee of the association responsible for publications.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Support for Middle East Scholars 9 activities
    • Administer awards and fellowships
      Operates an awards program to recognize scholarly achievement, service to the profession, and student mentoring, including the Honorary Fellows program for internationally renowned scholars. Awards competitive fellowships to displaced scholars from the MENA region to attend meetings, workshops, and conferences.
    • Award fellowships to displaced scholars
      Awards competitive fellowships to displaced scholars from the MENA region to attend meetings, workshops, and conferences.
    • Recognize scholarly contributions and provide professional development
      Recognizes internationally renowned scholars through the Honorary Fellows program, operates an awards program for scholarly achievement and service, and sponsors panels on teaching and learning at MESA conferences.
    • Recognize scholarly contributions and provide professional development
      Recognizes internationally renowned scholars through the Honorary Fellows program for major contributions to Middle East studies and operates an awards program for scholarly achievement, service, and student mentoring. Provides members with access to publications and offers online professional opportunity listings.
    • Recognize scholarly contributions and service
      Operates an awards program to recognize scholarly achievement, service to the profession, and student mentoring, including recognizing internationally renowned scholars through the Honorary Fellows program for major contributions to Middle East studies.
    • Scholar recognition and awards programs
      Recognizes scholarly achievement, professional service, and student mentoring through an awards program and the Honorary Fellows program, which honors internationally renowned scholars for major contributions to Middle East studies.
    • Support displaced scholars
      Awards competitive fellowships to displaced scholars from the MENA region to attend meetings, workshops, and conferences.
    • Support for displaced scholars
      Awards competitive fellowships to displaced scholars from the MENA region to support their participation in meetings, workshops, and conferences.
    • Undergraduate and student engagement
      Organizes an annual Undergraduate Research Workshop to support student scholarship and professional development in Middle East studies.
  • Regional Area Studies Research & Dissemination 8 activities
    • Publication of Issues in Middle East Studies (IMES)
      publishes "Issues in Middle East Studies" (IMES) biannually, an e-newsletter with a circulation of approximately 2,500 that includes annual meeting highlights, committee reports, graduate student activities, updates from sister organizations, trends in the field, and pedagogical issues.
    • Publication of book and media reviews
      publishes 20–30 book reviews per issue in RoMES and includes additional reviews of films, music, software, and exhibitions, contributing to critical discourse in Middle East studies.
    • Publication of peer-reviewed research journals
      Produces and publishes original scholarly research through the International Journal of Middle East Studies (IJMES), covering politics, society, and culture in the Middle East from the seventh century to the present day.
    • Publication of the Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES)
      publishes the Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES) twice a year, featuring research articles, essays, reports, and approximately fifty reviews of books, films, music, software, and exhibitions relevant to Middle East studies; available to members and over 900 subscribing libraries.
    • Publish academic journals and newsletters
      Publishes original research and reviews on Middle East studies through "The International Journal of Middle East Studies" (IJMES) and "The Review of Middle East Studies" (RoMES) biannually. Also publishes "Issues in Middle East Studies" (IMES) biannually, an e-newsletter with a circulation of approximately 2,500, which includes annual meeting highlights, committee reports, graduate student activities, and trends in the field.
    • Publish academic journals and newsletters
      Publishes original research on politics, society, and culture in the Middle East from the seventh century to the present day through the International Journal of Middle East Studies (IJMES), the Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES) twice a year (including research articles, essays, reports, and approximately fifty book reviews), and "Issues in Middle East Studies" (IMES) biannually, which includes annual meeting highlights, committee reports, graduate student activities, updates from sister organizations, trends in the field, and pedagogical issues.
    • Publish academic journals and newsletters
      Publishes the "International Journal of Middle East Studies" (IJMES) for original research, "The Review of Middle East Studies" (RoMES) biannually with research articles, essays, reports, and reviews, and "Issues in Middle East Studies" (IMES) biannually as an e-newsletter with meeting highlights, committee reports, and field trends, distributed to members and subscribing libraries.
    • Publish academic journals and newsletters
      Publishes the "International Journal of Middle East Studies" (IJMES) for original research, "The Review of Middle East Studies" (RoMES) twice a year for research articles, essays, reports, and reviews, and "Issues in Middle East Studies" (IMES) biannually as an e-newsletter with a circulation of approximately 2,500, covering annual meeting highlights, committee reports, and field trends.
  • Professional Association Conferences & Events 6 activities
    • Host an annual meeting
      Hosts an annual meeting that serves as an international forum for scholarship, intellectual exchange, and pedagogical innovation, with approximately 2,000 attendees and a printed program. The 60th meeting is scheduled for November 21-24, 2026.
    • Host annual meetings and workshops
      Hosts an annual meeting that serves as an international forum for scholarship, intellectual exchange, and pedagogical innovation, with the 60th meeting scheduled for November 21-24, 2026, and an estimated 2,000 attendees. Also organizes an annual Undergraduate Research Workshop and sponsors panels on teaching and learning at MESA conferences.
    • Host annual meetings and workshops
      Hosts an annual meeting that serves as an international forum for scholarship, intellectual exchange, and pedagogical innovation, with an estimated 2,000 attendees. Also organizes an annual Undergraduate Research Workshop and sponsors panels on teaching and learning at its conferences.
    • Host annual meetings and workshops
      Hosts an annual meeting, with the 60th meeting scheduled for November 21-24, 2026, serving as an international forum for scholarship, intellectual exchange, and pedagogical innovation, and sponsors an annual Undergraduate Research Workshop.
    • Hosting annual academic meeting
      Hosts an annual international meeting that serves as a forum for scholarship, intellectual exchange, and pedagogical innovation, with an expected attendance of around 2,000; includes distribution of a printed program and sponsorship of panels on teaching and learning.
    • Provide professional development and networking opportunities
      Organizes an annual Undergraduate Research Workshop, sponsors panels on teaching and learning at MESA conferences, offers online professional opportunity listings, and rents its member mailing list for one-time use to facilitate networking.
  • Internal Equity Committee Development 4 activities
    • Address sexual harassment
      Established the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee in 2018 to address sexual harassment at its annual meeting and in the field.
    • Address sexual harassment
      Established the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee in 2018 to address sexual harassment at its annual meeting and within the field of Middle East studies.
    • Address sexual harassment in the field
      Established the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee in 2018 to address sexual harassment at its annual meeting and in the broader field of Middle East studies.
    • Committee-led professional initiatives
      Operates standing committees such as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, established in 2018 to address harassment at the annual meeting and in the field, and supports graduate student and pedagogical activities.
  • Israel Advocacy & Diplomatic Engagement 4 activities
    • Advocate for academic freedom and ethical practices
      Engages in advocacy by endorsing calls for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, affirming free speech rights for members to discuss academic boycotts, calling upon leaders of colleges and universities to defend academic freedom, and advocating for the separation of foreign area studies from military and intelligence organizations.
    • Advocate for academic freedom and ethical research
      Engages in advocacy by passing resolutions and issuing calls to action regarding academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the separation of foreign area studies from military and intelligence organizations. This includes supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and urging members not to accept funding from the National Security Education Act (NSEA) until concerns are addressed.
    • Advocate for academic freedom and ethical research practices
      Engages in advocacy by passing resolutions and issuing calls to defend academic freedom, champion freedom of expression, and ensure the separation of foreign area studies from military and intelligence organizations. This includes affirming the right of members to discuss boycotts of Israeli academic institutions and urging members not to accept funding from NSEA until concerns are addressed.
    • Advocate for academic freedom and ethical research practices
      Engages in advocacy by endorsing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, defending free speech, and calling upon colleges and universities to protect academic freedom. The organization also advocates for the separation of foreign area studies from military and intelligence organizations and urges members not to accept funding from the National Security Education Act (NSEA) until concerns are addressed.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Member and institutional support services
      Provides access to RoMES as a membership benefit, serves as an umbrella organization for institutional members and affiliated organizations, and offers online professional opportunity listings and member mailing list rentals for targeted outreach.
    • Provide member resources and networking opportunities
      Provides members with access to publications like the Review of Middle East Studies, serves as an umbrella organization for institutional members, offers online professional opportunity listings, and rents its member mailing list for one-time use.
    • Serve as an umbrella organization
      Serves as an umbrella organization for dozens of institutional members and affiliated organizations, providing members with access to the Review of Middle East Studies as a membership benefit.
    • Support members and affiliated organizations
      Provides members with access to the Review of Middle East Studies, serves as an umbrella organization for institutional members and affiliated organizations, offers online professional opportunity listings, and rents its member mailing list for one-time use.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$852K
Contributions & grants$71K8%
Program service revenue$680K80%
Investment income$99K12%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$608K
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$340K
Grants paid out$6K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.71M
Cash$519K
Investments$2.02M
Liabilities$181K
Net assets$2.53M
Liquid reserves50.1 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JEFFREY D REGER EXEC. DIRECTOR/TREASURER 40 $121K
board members · 12
  • ASLI IGSIZ — BOARD MEMBER
  • DINA RIZK KHOURY — PRESIDENT
  • EVE TROUTT POWELL — PRESIDENT-ELECT
  • ILANA FELDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JUDITH E TUCKER — PAST PRESIDENT
  • MIRIAM LOWI — BOARD MEMBER
  • NADIA YAQUB — BOARD MEMBER
  • ORIT BASHKIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • SHERENE SEIKALY — BOARD MEMBER
  • SINAN ANTOON — BOARD MEMBER
  • TAYLOR M MOORE — BOARD MEMBER
  • ZIAD ABU-RISH — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 15

who they work with

  • African Studies Association Partner — MESA joins this association in expressing appreciation to Senator Boren for developing the National Security Education Act, while also sharing concerns about its administration.
  • American Council of Learned Societies Coalition — Constituent society
  • American Studies Association Partner — MESA deplores measures of intimidation directed against this association for engaging in discussions about the BDS campaign.
  • Association for Asian American Studies Partner — MESA deplores measures of intimidation directed against this association for engaging in discussions about the BDS campaign.
  • CUP Partner — Welcomes web banner advertising on RoMES.
  • Cambridge Journals Online Partner — Makes "The Review of Middle East Studies" (RoMES) available through their platform.
  • Cambridge Journals Online Partner — Platform through which "Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES)" is available.
  • Cambridge Journals Online Partner — hosts the Review of Middle East Studies online through Cambridge Journals Online
  • Cambridge University Press Partner — Publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies (IJMES) under the auspices of the Middle East Studies Association of North America.
  • Committee on Academic Freedom Partner — MESA Board of Directors is directed to work in consultation with this committee to give effect to the BDS resolution.
  • Critical Ethnic Studies Association Partner — MESA deplores measures of intimidation directed against this association for engaging in discussions about the BDS campaign.
  • Latin American Studies Association Partner — MESA joins this association in expressing appreciation to Senator Boren for developing the National Security Education Act, while also sharing concerns about its administration.
  • National Council of Area Studies Associations Coalition — Constituent society
  • National Humanities Alliance Coalition — Member
  • Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Partner — MESA deplores measures of intimidation directed against this association for engaging in discussions about the BDS campaign.