Board Members

Dr. Hesham Mesbah

Current President
Dr. Hesham Mesbah’s research agenda includes comparative cognitive effects of news media, new media, and the impact of mass communication on social capital, public opinion, social openness, and perception of globalization. He has numerous peer-refereed publications and conference presentations in both English and Arabic. He taught communication at Cairo University, Kuwait University, and Northwestern State University in Louisiana. He had been actively engaged in training Arab and African journalists and providing research and public relations consultations overseas. He received several awards and honorary prizes for his teaching and academic research.

Rollins College, USA
hmesbah@rollins.edu

Dr. Fahed Al-Sumait

Vice President

Fahed Al-Sumait is an Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies whose research focuses on strategic and political communication, intercultural studies, and digital inequalities with a concentration on Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula. He has served as a Fulbright-Hays Dissertation Fellow, as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow and later Honorary Senior Fellow at the National University of Singapore (NUS), as well as a visiting Research Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He is the Immediate Past President and a founding Board Member of the Association for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies (AGAPS), Vice President of the Arab-US Association for Communication Educators (AUSACE), and a member of the Senior Research Management Advisory Council at the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). Dr. Al-Sumait has served in numerous university administrative roles, including Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Department Chair, interim Dean of Student Affairs, Curriculum Coordinator, and Founding Member and inaugural Chair of a Global Studies Center. He holds an MA from the University of New Mexico and a PhD from the University of Washington, both in Communication.

falsumait@auk.edu.kw

Dr. Mohammed el-Nawawy

Past President

Dr. Mohammed el-Nawawy is Professor in the Media Studies Program and the former Director of the Board of Doctoral Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Before holding his current post, he was the Charles A. Dana Professor of International Communication and Middle Eastern Studies at Queens University of Charlotte in the United States. His areas of expertise and research interests are focused on the new media, particularly satellite channels and the Internet, and their impact on the global public sphere in general and the Arab public sphere in particular. He is also interested in issues of media effects and media framing of terrorism and race. He is the author and co-author of seven books by prominent publishing houses, as well as dozens of peer-reviewed publications that have been widely cited and recognized in various academic circles. His scholarly work has attracted the attention of the mainstream Western and Arab press over the years.

He is the founding editor of the peer-reviewed Journal of Middle East Media and serves on the editorial boards of Media, War and Conflict journal, Journalism Education journal and Global Media Journal. He is also the former president and current board member of the Arab-U.S. Association for Communication Educators He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in journalism and mass communication at the American University in Cairo. He has a doctorate degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA.

Email: mohamed.elnawawy@dohainstitute.edu.qa

Dr. Sahar Khamis

Past President, 2023-2025

Dr. Sahar Khamis is the former Head of the Mass Communication and Information Science Department in Qatar University. Dr. Khamis holds a Ph.D. in Mass Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Manchester in England.She is the co-author of the book Islam Dot Com: Contemporary Islamic Discourses in Cyberspace, which was published by Palgrave Macmillan in June 2009. She authored chapters in the books: Women and Media in the Middle East: Power Through Self-Expression, edited by Naomi Sakr and published by I.B. Tauris, London in 2004, and New Media and the New Middle East, edited by Philip Seib and published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2007.

University of Maryland, USA
skhamis@umd.edu

Prof. Azza A. Ahmed

Former Vice President, 2014 to 2017

Senior Arabic Editor JMEM, 2006-2016

Dr. Azza Ahmed has been a Professor of Communication at Zayed University, United Arab Emirates, since 2018. She previously served as the Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Abu Dhabi University and as an Associate Professor at UAE University. She also retains her position as a Professor at the Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University, Egypt. Professor Ahmed received the Khalifa Award for Education (2016) as Distinguished University Professor in Teaching at the UAE and Arab world levels. Her academic achievements have also been recognized with the Distinguished Professor Award from ADU and the Distinguished Service Award from UAE University, as well as several international research awards. Professor Ahmed has been an active member of the Arab-U.S. Association for Communication Educators since 2006. She has published extensively in internationally recognized journals. Ahmed serves on the editorial boards of several international journals and reviews manuscripts for leading scholarly publications and conferences in communication, media, and journalism. She also serves as a senior reviewer for major international academic conferences.  Her research focuses on new media, digital platforms, binge-watching, news credibility, online news sharing, media effects, and television drama. Her work advances understanding of contemporary Arab media practices and their social impacts.

Azza.ahmed@zu.ac.ae

Azza.abdelazim@yahoo.com

Dr. Hussein Amin

Past President (2001-2003)
Dr. Hussein Amin is a professor of journalism and mass communication at the American University in Cairo. He is a contributor to extensive list of communication journals and a consultant to several international media organizations. Professor Amin’s research is focused on global media systems with emphases on media laws, regulations and policies in the Middle East.

American University in Cairo, Egypt
h_amin@aucegypt.edu

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Shami

Abdulrahman Al-Shami, PhD, is a Professor of Broadcast and Digital Journalism at Qatar University. He served as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Boston University in 2005 and participated in the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program at Ohio University in 2011. His research primarily examines the intersection of digital media and social change, a domain in which he has published over 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals and scholarly volumes. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Al-Shami has held various leadership and administrative roles in Yemen, including Dean, Vice-Dean, and Department Chair. Having previously edited both the Journal of Middle East Media (Arabic edition) and the Ansaq Journal, he is a founding member of the Arab-European Association for Media and Communication Researchers (AREACORE) and serves on the editorial boards of several prominent academic journals. Additionally, he is the former Vice-President of the Association of Arab and American Communication Educators (AUSACE).

Qatar University, Qatar
aalshami@qu.edu.qa

Kim Fox

Kim Fox is currently an associate professor of practice in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JRMC) at The American University in Cairo (AUC) in Cairo, Egypt. She primarily teaches Audio Production and Multimedia Writing. She received both her B.S. and her M.A. degrees from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.Kim spent decades working in the U.S. radio industry in various positions at radio stations including WOUB AM/FM/TV in Athens, Ohio; WIZF in Cincinnati, Ohio; WBLK in Buffalo, New York, WAKR in Akron, Ohio and many more. As the executive producer of the award winning Ehky Ya Masr (Tell Your Story Egypt) Podcast, a narrative nonfiction podcast about life in Cairo, Egypt, she works with young freelance producers writing and editing audio content. You won’t find her ranting on Twitter, but check her out there … just in case.

The Amerin University in Cairo (AUC)

kimfox@aucegypt.edu

Dr. Karin Gwinn Wilkins

Wilkins (PhD, University of Pennsylvania) is Dean of the School of Communication at the University of Miami and serves as Board Chair of the Alliance of Schools and Colleges of Communication and Journalism (ASCCJ). Previously, she served as Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement and Strategic Initiatives in the Moody College of Communication and as Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She received the Cale McDowell Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Studies. Wilkins is a Fellow of the International Communication Association (ICA) and concluded her term as Editor-in-Chief of Communication Theory. She is a widely recognized scholar who has published numerous books and peer-reviewed articles, and she has received multiple awards for her research, service, and teaching.

University of Miami, USA
kwilkins@miami.edu

Dr. Fedaa Mohamed

Dr. Fedaa Mohamed is an Associate Professor of Journalism at Ahram Canadian University’s Faculty of Mass Communication, Egypt, a position she attained in September 2024. She also holds two key leadership positions: Vice President of the University’s Quality Assurance Center and Head of the Faculty International Bureau. These roles highlight her deep commitment to both academic excellence and international scholarly collaboration. She earned her Ph.D. in Journalism from Cairo University, receiving a First Class Honors Degree and a Recommendation to Exchange it with other Universities in 2018. In addition to her primary roles, Dr. Mohamed is a vital contributor to the global academic community as a member of the editorial boards of international journals. Her expertise is further demonstrated through her work as a reviewer for prestigious journals such as African Journalism Studies, Newspaper Research Journal, and more. Her active participation and presentations at scientific conferences highlight her research interests in international journalism, media interaction, and news coverage trends. With a remarkable portfolio of published research, Dr. Mohamed continues to shape the academic landscape, while also being dedicated to the growth of young scholars through collaborative research initiatives.

fedaa.mohamed@acu.edu.eg – fedaa_mohamed_a@live.com

Professor Dina Farouk Abou Zeid

Dina Farouk Abou Zeid is an Egyptian professor at the Faculty of Mass Communication at Ain Shams University and the Dean of the Faculty of Media and Communication Arts at October 6 University. She is the former Dean of the Faculty of Media Sciences at the International Academy for Engineering and Media Science (IAEMS), former Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Mass Communication at MTI University, former Acting Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development at the Faculty of Mass Communication at Ain Shams University, and former Head of the Ain Shams Media Center and former Head of the Communication and Media Sciences Department at the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Mass Communication from The American University in Cairo and received her Ph.D. with honors in from the Mass Communication Department, Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. Also, she worked as a television presenter on Egyptian Television.

Dina.Farouk.MC@o6u.edu.eg>nailah@aucegypt.edu

Dr. Ahmed El Gody

Ahmed El Gody, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor (Docent) in Media and Communication Studies at Örebro University, Sweden.
He has more than two decades of international experience in journalism education, multimedia communication, and digital journalism.
His research focuses on newsroom innovation, AI journalism, media ethics, Arab and Global South media systems, and the political economy of digital media. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, with current work on AI and journalism in Arab newsrooms.
He is Managing Editor of Arab Media & Society.

Ahmed.Elgody@oru.se 

Dr. Afif Arabi

Dr. Afif Arabi is a filmmaker, a researcher, and a passionate teacher in film, television, and new media. Starting a career in radio, television, theatre, and music at an early age in Lebanon, Dr. Arabi holds an undergraduate degree in Radio, TV and Film. After finishing from Boston University, an MA and PhD from Ohio State University in Art Ed/Media Studies. Dr. Arabi received several prestigious research grants and production awards including the GSARA, OAC, GCAC and Davis. He has worked and taught at several U.S. and international institutions. His expertise in building media programs helped hosting institutions compete at the national level. He is an avid media consultant to organizations promoting social and human development. Several of his independent film and video productions were well received at festivals across the states and became an addition to numerous academic libraries. His research in media culture and aesthetics of the Arab world continues to contribute to world knowledge. Afif Arabi is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Media at the American University of Kuwait and an independent filmmaker whose work sits at the intersection of media theory and cinematic storytelling.

aarabi@auk.edu.kw

Dr. Hanan Badr

Dr. Hanan Badr is full professor and head of the division public spheres and inequalities at the University of Salzburg, Austria. Her work focuses on global inequalities and communication, exiled journalism, global media coverage, comparing media systems and activism and transformation. Recent co-edited books include “Critical Communication Research with Global Inclusivity” (2026), “Cosmopolitan Communication studies” (2025), “Arab Berlin; Dynamics of Transformation” (2023), as well as “Media Governance: A cosmopolitan critique” (2022). She studied journalism and international communication in Cairo and Erfurt. Her academic socialization evolved between European and Arab universities where she held positions at Freie Universität Berlin, Cairo University, Gulf University for Sciences and Technology in Kuwait and Orient-Institut Beirut/Max Weber Foundation in Lebanon. She is SWANA coordinator at the project Worlds of Journalism Studies. Her academic memberships includes ICA, AUSACE, ÖGK, ECREA and IAMCR.

hanan.badr@plus.ac.at

Emeritus Board Members

Dr. Phil Auter

Phil Auter, Ph.D. is Graduate Program Coordinator and Professor of Communication at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in international, media, and human communication. He recently completed a four-year term (2021–2025) as President of the UL Lafayette Faculty Senate and currently serves on the university’s Graduate Council. His leadership extends well beyond campus. He is Vice President of the Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities, serves on the executive board of the Louisiana Conference of the American Association of University Professors, and is an emeritus board member of the Arab-U.S. Association of Communication Educators. He previously served as Executive Director and Accreditation Chair for the American Communication Association. As a consultant, he advises U.S. and international institutions on curriculum design, accreditation, organizational communication, negotiation, and consensus-building. Phil has been principle investigator or Co-PI on grants totaling more than $1.2 million in funding—including a $642 k USAID Middle East Partnership Initiative grant—and has authored or co-authored 60+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He is co-editor of Mass Communication in the Modern Arab World: Ongoing Agents of Change Following the Arab Spring (Rowman & Littlefield).

University of Louisiana-Lafayette, USA
philauter@gmail.com

Dr. Naila Hamdy

Past President (2008-2010)
Naila Hamdy received her BA from the University of San Francisco in 1980, her MA from the American University in Cairo in 1996 and her PhD from Cairo University in 2007. Her research interests focus on various aspects of the journalism profession in Egypt, the impact of communication technologies and media development in the Arab region. Hamdy is also an expert on Arab media.

American University in Cairo, Egypt
nailah@aucegypt.edu

Dr. Douglas A. Boyd

Dr. Douglas A. Boyd holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.He has held academic and administrative assignments at the University of Minnesota, the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland, and the University of Kentucky.  At Kentucky he is Professor in the Department of Communication, the School of Journalism and Telecommunications, and the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.  Before becoming an academic he was a commercial broadcaster and was employed by the U.S. government in the construction of the first TV stations in Saudi Arabia.  He was a Fulbright Professor at Cairo University and the author of three editions of Broadcasting in the Arab World:  A Survey of Electronic Media in the Middle East.

University of Kentucky, USA
boyd@uky.edu

Dr. Leonard Ray Teel

Past President (1995-1997)
Dr. Leonard Ray Teel is the founding director of the Center for International Media Education (CIME) at GSU. He is author or co-author of four books, including a text on journalism which has been translated into Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and Armenian. He oversees the development and conduct of media professionalism workshops notably for developing civic journalism and economic journalism.

Georgia State University, USA (retired)
lteel@gsu.edu

Dr. Carolyn Rose Codamo

Past President (1999-2001), Founding Board Member (1995)
Dr. Carolyn Rose Codamo, retired Associate Chair of the Department of Communication, Georgia State University, served on the AUSACE Board for the last 20 years. During that time, she was an associate of the Center for International Media Education (CIME) at GSU, and co-led instructional workshops in media professionalism throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the Arabian Gulf countries. Dr. Codamo taught graduate and undergraduate communication courses, and developed study abroad programs in Egypt.

Georgia State University, USA (retired)
ccodamo@gsu.edu

Dr. Yousef Al-Failakawi

Two-Time Past President

Dr. Yousef Al-Failakawi completed his higher education in the United States, including a B.A. degree from the University of Denver, an M.A. from Murray State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. He has held several professional positions at Kuwait Television, and been a consultant to the Minister of Information before moving to Kuwait University where he was the head of the Department of Mass Communication. He is currently is in charge of Kuwait University’s US Culture Relationships Department.

yalfailakawi@ku.edu.kw

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Issam Mousa

Past President (1995-1997)
Dr. Issam Suleiman Mousa was a Professor of Journalism at Yarmouk University. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Washington (Seatle) in 1981. His research areas included: The Arab Image in the West, Jordan and Arab Media, Development Communication, Arab Communication History, and Novel & short story collections. He also worked for ALECSO and UNESCO as an expert on several occasions, and was a Fulbright fellow at WSU. Dr. Issam authored and co-authored several books on media and communication. His creative work include:  The Sun Will Rise Always, Snow Remnants, Leaping in the Eyes, Loss of Balance, and Tales of A Defeated Knight.

Dr. Matt Duffy

Matt Duffy graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication with a B.S. in telecommunication in May 2020. He received his M.A. in mass communications with a specialization in digital strategy through the UF CJC Online Graduate Program in August 2021.. He began his career at Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook) following the success of the Born Zillennial Facebook Group. He was brought on to the Global Facebook Power Admins team as a young adult SME where he focused on product education and adoption among YA admins who manage the largest and most engaged Facebook Groups. He was recognized by the UF Division of Media Properties with the Excellence in Media Leadership award for his roles as 95.3 GHQ.fm general manager and on-air host, WUFT news anchor, and Knight Talks producer. Duffy has been a guest on numerous podcasts, radio shows, online publications and has interviewed the likes of Garth Brooks, Rich Fields, and GloZell.

Founding AUSACE Members

Leonard Teel, Founding President (USA)
Nash’at Aqtash (Palestinian National Authority)
Khelifa Bouras (Algeria)
Taeb Boutbouqalt (Morocco)
Mohamed-Fehri Chelbe (Tunisia)
Carolyn Codamo (USA)
Khalid El-Ghamry (Egypt)
Hanan El-Malki (Syria)
Hammad Ibrahim Hamed (Egypt)
Al Hester (USA)
Taoufik Jdidi (Morocco)
Gregory Lisby (USA)
Issam Mousa (Jordan)
Abdelkader Rhaiem (Tunisia)
Samar Shunnar(Palestinian National Authority)