College of Public Policy Encourages Inclusive Discussions on Solving Regional Policy Challenges

The College of Public Policy (CPP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) inaugurated its new Policy Lab Series on September 15 with a discussion entitled Post-COVID Pathways: Qatar, the Gulf, and Beyond.

Organized with the support of the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) and the College of Law at HBKU, the first Policy Lab explored the impact of the pandemic, the lessons learned, and the socioeconomic weaknesses the crisis has exposed. It also looked to the future and potential post-COVID pathways for the region and further afield. 

Dr. Darryl S.L. Jarvis, professor at CPP and the event moderator, highlighted the importance of bringing a depth of expertise into the discussion. The Policy Lab presented multidisciplinary perspectives from: Dr. Susan Karamanian, dean of HBKU College of Law, Dr. Evren Tok, associate professor at CIS, and assistant dean for innovation and community development, CPP’s Dr. Anis Ben Brik, associate professor and founding director of the Program for Social Evaluation and Research (PROSPER), and Dr. Logan Cochrane, assistant professor. Dr. Bulent Aras, Istanbul Policy Center at Sabanci University, Turkey, and Ahmed Aref, Doha International Family Institute, were among the key speakers.

The discussions focused on Qatar’s post-COVID socioeconomic environment, and more broadly, the economic recovery and development implications of the region’s uneven response and vaccination rollout. Speakers offered their view on whether the lessons learned were likely to give rise to more future public investment and greater resilience of key capacities in health, education, and social protection systems. 

Dr. Leslie A. Pal, dean of the College of Public Policy, commented after the event: “For the launch of the Policy Lab series, it was fitting to examine the most complex global crisis of our time. The pandemic’s policy and governance challenges are clear, and we need to map a new course in its aftermath. One of our strengths at CPP is how we combine ideas with rigorous scholarship to create new knowledge and collectively generate solutions to the challenges we all face. Driven by the need to formulate evidence-based policymaking, our Policy Lab series will continue facilitating conversations that will improve policies and programs in the region and globally.”

The Policy Lab is CPP’s signature public forum, aimed at promoting engagement and knowledge exchange within Qatar, the region, and beyond to address a variety of current policy themes. Policy Labs will connect regional and international speakers several times a year and encourage an inclusive exploration of policy problems and their solutions.

For more on the work of the College of Public Policy, please visit cpp.hbku.edu.qa.