The "Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb" (MECAM), founded in 2020, is a platform for regional and international scientific exchange in Tunisia based on the central theme "Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity". The centre is located at the renowned Université de Tunis in the Tunisian capital. Its research work focuses on the effects of multidimensional disparity on models, visions and ideas about political, social, economic, and cultural futures.
BMFTR, 2020-2023

Team

Dr. Alyssa Miller

Research Fellow

Cooperation Partners

Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Marburg (CNMS)German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)Leipzig University Forum Transregionale Studien e.V.University of Tunis Tunisian Institute for Strategic Studies (ITES)University of Sfax

Head

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Research Questions

The research programme of the Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb encompasses the five thematic clusters "Inequality & Mobility", "Memory & Justice", "Aesthetics & Cultural Practice", "Resources & Sustainability", "Identities & Beliefs" (the latter one under GIGA's coordination) as well as two transversal axes "Comparative Historical and Regional Perspectives" and "Digital Methods".

Contribution to International Research

MECAM's contributes to international research excellence in a number of ways: First, it strengthens the perception of the Maghreb as a geopolitical interface of different world regions, among them Africa, Europe, and the Middle East (Mashriq). Second and related, it thereby aims to overcome the often-held, limited perspective of the Maghreb as a "triple periphery". This is done, third, by connecting with a long tradition of Maghrebi theorizing in different fields. Fourth, MECAM substantially enhances German scholarly engagement with the Maghreb. Fifth and more generally, it contributes to tackling persisting asymmetries in knowledge production.

Research Design and Methods

The Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM) considers itself an interdisciplinary, interregional and intergenerational research platform on the Maghreb, the Middle East and beyond. Under the guiding theme "Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity", MECAM examines the complex processes of (re-)negotiating future models of society ('imagining futures’) in the region about a decade after the beginning of the "Arab Spring", all within the context of unequal starting conditions ('disparity').

The German Institute for Global and Area Studies is a partner within the MECAM consortium, along with the University of Marburg, the University of Leipzig and the Forum Transregional Studies in Berlin. In addition to the Université de Tunis, the regional partners are the University of Sfax and the Institut Tunisien des Études Stratégiques (ITES) in Tunisia, as well as other partners from Morocco and Lebanon.

MECAM Papers English | 02/2026

The (In)Visibility of Female Saints in Tunisian Sufi Literature

Analysing a litany about a woman reveals the function of Sufi literature in documenting and transmitting Sufi values, historical events, and regional customs. It especially sheds light on how Tunisian Sufi literature conceptualises women’s spiritual roles in Maghrebi society, setting the spaces and boundaries within which they exist.

Dr. Cyrine Kortas

Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb

GIGA Focus Middle East | 1/2026

Ten Things to Watch in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026

Europe plays a limited role in Gulf investments and the geopolitical considerations behind them. International mediation is urgently required in Gaza and Sudan. Lebanon and Syria are threatened by fragmentation. We present ten things set to inform events in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026.

Dima Abu Alkheir

Hager Ali

Dr. André Bank

Ardahan Özkan Gedikli

Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz

MECAM Papers English | 11/2025

Ghannouchi’s Concept of Ḥurriyya and Its Realisation in Transitional Tunisia

The ḥurriyya framework offers Muslim societies a way to overcome ideological divides by linking universal values with Islamic ethics. It provides an alternative to rigid secularism and literalist traditions while respecting modern values developed outside Islam.

Dr. Julius Dihstelhoff

Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Marburg

Ph.D. Imad Alsoos

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

MECAM Papers English | 10/2025

The Executioner’s Office in Algeria and Tunisia (1842–1962)

Nowadays, the profession of executioner is still relevant. Concerning Algeria and Tunisia, once they gained independence the new rulers kept their own executioners on duty. They simply replaced French executioners with “local” ones. Today the abolition of the death penalty is not in prospect.

Dr. Hend Guirat

University of Tunis

MECAM Papers English | 06/2025

Tunisia and Ghana: Parallel Histories, Diverging Democracies

Ghana and Tunisia have often been framed as beacons of democracy in their respective regions. However, as Ghana’s democracy matured over decades, Tunisia’s experiment ultimately collapsed. This paper examines diverse factors shaping their paths, offering lessons on the risks of democratic backsliding.

Youssef Cherif

Columbia Global Center Tunis

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Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM): Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity, Phase I

Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM): Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity, Phase I

Team

Dr. Alyssa Miller

Research Fellow

Cooperation Partners

Head

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Research Questions

Contribution to International Research

Research Design and Methods

MECAM Papers English | 02/2026

The (In)Visibility of Female Saints in Tunisian Sufi Literature

Dr. Cyrine Kortas

Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb

GIGA Focus Middle East | 1/2026

Ten Things to Watch in the Middle East and North Africa in 2026

Dima Abu Alkheir

Hager Ali

Dr. André Bank

Ardahan Özkan Gedikli

Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz

MECAM Papers English | 11/2025

Ghannouchi’s Concept of Ḥurriyya and Its Realisation in Transitional Tunisia

Dr. Julius Dihstelhoff

Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Marburg

Ph.D. Imad Alsoos

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

MECAM Papers English | 10/2025

The Executioner’s Office in Algeria and Tunisia (1842–1962)

Dr. Hend Guirat

University of Tunis

MECAM Papers English | 06/2025

Tunisia and Ghana: Parallel Histories, Diverging Democracies

Youssef Cherif

Columbia Global Center Tunis

Workshop | 20/02/2023 - 24/02/2023

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”, Orient Institut Beirut, Beirut Organisers: Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter (Panelist)

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Workshop | 27/02/2024 - 29/02/2024

Understanding the Life Cycle of Academic Publishing: From Journal Targeting to Decision Letters and Response Memos

Publication Workshop at the Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM), Centre Merian pour les études avancées au Maghreb, Tunis Organisers: Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) Dr. Julia Grauvogel (Speaker)

This presentation is designed to demystify the submission and review process of journals and discuss publication strategies with the participants. It covers key aspects of publishing scholarly work from journal targeting to understanding decisions letters and writing response memos.

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Workshop | 20/02/2023 - 24/02/2023

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Cooperation | 20/04/2020

New Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in Tunis

The GIGA is taking part in the establishment of a Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM) in the capital of Tunisia. This research centre will be dedicated to the study of processes of social change that have come about as a result of the Arab protest movements of 2011.

Workshop | 27/02/2024 - 29/02/2024

Understanding the Life Cycle of Academic Publishing: From Journal Targeting to Decision Letters and Response Memos

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Workshop | 20/02/2023 - 24/02/2023

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Workshop | 20/02/2023 - 24/02/2023

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Workshop | 27/02/2024 - 29/02/2024

Understanding the Life Cycle of Academic Publishing: From Journal Targeting to Decision Letters and Response Memos

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Workshop | 20/02/2023 - 24/02/2023

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Cooperation | 20/04/2020

New Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in Tunis

Workshop | 27/02/2024 - 29/02/2024

Understanding the Life Cycle of Academic Publishing: From Journal Targeting to Decision Letters and Response Memos

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Senior Research Fellow / Research Team Spokesperson

Workshop | 20/02/2023 - 24/02/2023

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Team

Cooperation Partners

Head

Research Questions

Contribution to International Research

Research Design and Methods

Project Publications

Notification

Social Media

Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM): Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity, Phase I

Team

Cooperation Partners

Head

Research Questions

Contribution to International Research

Research Design and Methods

Project Publications

Related Content

Understanding the Life Cycle of Academic Publishing: From Journal Targeting to Decision Letters and Response Memos

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East &amp; North Africa”

Related Content

Understanding the Life Cycle of Academic Publishing: From Journal Targeting to Decision Letters and Response Memos

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East &amp; North Africa”

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”

MECAM Travelling Academy "Solidarities in/between the Middle East & North Africa”