This September, the Institute of International Education (IIE), in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission and SOAS University of London, officially launched the Heritage Horizon Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support heritage professionals and researchers in Saudi Arabia to publish academic work in international journals.
A New Chapter for Saudi Heritage Research
The program began with a dynamic five-day workshop held in Riyadh from September 17 to 22, organized by the IIE National Researchers’ Support Team that includes Susan Muendl, Shifaa Alsairafi, and Alex Iadanza within the Middle East Programs and Outreach Division directed by Jamal Alsayyad on behalf of the Heritage Commission in Saudi Arabia. The workshop welcomed 15 participants from a range of heritage sectors, including:
- Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Underwater Cultural Heritage
- Urban Heritage
- World Heritage Site Management
- Archaeology and Antiquities
Experts from SOAS University of London, including Charlotte Horlyck, Rachel Harris, Scott Redford, Aylin Orbasli, and Stephen Murphy delivered lectures on their topics of expertise, including Islamic archaeology, art history in South Korea, underwater cultural heritage, and urban heritage. They were joined by local and international guest lecturers including Saudi traditional arts expert Abdulaziz Alburayek, Katherine Fennelly, and Graeme Earl. The goal of the workshop in Saudi was to introduce the participants to the breadth of Heritage disciplines and engage in discussions on cultural heritage in a global context.
IIE provided consulting services to design the Heritage Horizon program for the Heritage Commission which will strengthen capacity for cultural heritage studies and expand the reach of Saudi heritage scholarship across the world. In this capacity, IIE developed the structure for the nine-month program and partnered with SOAS University of London to fully develop the curriculum, set desired outcomes, and deliver content. IIE worked with program partners to design the application, recruitment strategy, and selection process to identify competitive candidates. The participants were selected by a committee comprised of representatives from IIE, SOAS University, and the Heritage Commission. IIE also organized and implemented the logistics for the opening workshop in Riyadh and worked with a media company to advertise and brand the program. IIE will continue to work with participants throughout the program’s length to ensure they fulfil their requirements and have applicable paths towards publication.
Building a Global Presence for Saudi Voices
Participants—ranging from academics in media and literature to professionals in architecture and archaeology—engaged deeply with the workshop content. The sessions fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and a shared commitment to showcasing Saudi heritage on the global stage.
On the final day, each participant presented their research topic, marking the beginning of a nine-month journey to develop a publishable academic paper. This journey includes:
- Two online modules on research fundamentals and technology in research.
- A closing seminar in London, where participants will present completed drafts of their papers.
Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Research Ecosystem
The Heritage Horizon Program is part of the Heritage Commission’s broader mission to enhance research capacity and amplify Saudi heritage scholarship internationally. By equipping researchers with the tools and support needed to publish globally, the program contributes to a more connected and recognized Saudi academic community.