Committees, Councils, and Federations in the WANA region

This two-day academic workshop will convene scholars, researchers, and practitioners to critically examine decentralised, autonomist, and federalist modes of political organising in West Asia and North Africa (WANA). Moving beyond state-centric analyses, the workshop will explore historical lineages, contemporary manifestations, and future possibilities in (post) uprising and (post) revolutionary contexts.

The workshop is structured around three core themes:

· Historiography and Genealogy: excavating and reassessing historical precedents of autonomist organising in the WANA region, challenging statist historiographies.

· Political Theory and Philosophy: articulating the distinct political thought emerging from these movements, exploring concepts of democracy, ecology, gender, and pluralism.

· Contemporary Praxis and Future Possibilities: critically evaluating the successes, limitations, and future prospects of existing and emergent autonomist projects.

To allow the broadest possible participation, the workshop will be held in person and online via Zoom.

If you would like to present a paper at the workshop, please fill out this form. The deadline for abstracts is February 27, 2026

For queries, please email: jade.saab@glasgow.ac.uk