Insights into Kuwait's Public Engagement: AUK ORG Hosts Tony Allison's Lecture on State-Society Dynamics

The Office of Research and Grants (ORG) at AUK recently hosted an enlightening virtual lecture titled "Understanding Public Engagement: The Case of Kuwait." The lecture was presented by Tony Allison, a distinguished doctoral candidate from the Australian National University's Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. 

Dr. Iyad Abu Doush, ORG director, welcomed participants at the beginning of the event, highlighting the significance of the research being presented. Dr. Fahed Al-Sumait, associate professor of communication, introduced Allison, underscoring the unique opportunity for attendees to be the first to delve into his pioneering research.

Allison reflected on the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce's decision to remove a Venus statue from the 360 Mall in response to public complaints. This seemingly straightforward incident served as a gateway to delve into the complexities of state-society relations in Kuwait. 

He emphasized the importance of investigating popular social-cultural controversy to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play within the country. This is particularly important, considering that the existing body of political science literature has largely overlooked this aspect.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session. 
 
  
  

Screenshot of the lecture