Omar Bortolazzi

Dr. Omar Bortolazzi holds a joint Ph.D. in Political Science and History from Sciences Po – Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne and the Università degli Studi di Bologna, where he also earned an MA in Political Science and a Master’s in International Studies in Philanthropy and NGOs. He joined the American University in Dubai in January 2016 and currently serves as Associate Professor of Political Science and Program Director for the Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA). At AUD, he teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in Political Science, International Relations, Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power, Politics in the Middle East, International Law in the Middle East, Conflict Resolution, and Theory and Practice of Diplomacy. His scholarly work focuses on Middle Eastern politics (with a focus Lebanon and the Arab Gulf), philanthropy in the Arab world, skilled migration in the UAE, and soft power strategies in non-Western contexts. His recent research includes studies on economic diversificatrion and public diplomacy in the UAE, the role of religious and political institutions in welfare provision, and cultural diplomacy.