Eight researchers win grants from Zayed National Museum

Abu Dhabi: The Zayed National Museum has awarded eight researchers from the UAE, Italy, India and the US grants from its Research Fund .

The fund supports research related to the UAE’s culture, history, and heritage, and has an annual budget of Dh1 million, making it one of the region’s most significant research funding programmes.

A panel of experts selected the eight winners from a pool of 79 applicants from around the world. The winners’ research projects cover a diverse range of topics, including organic residue analysis, studies on native trees, modern architecture and pottery use, and a digital preservation initiative for rock inscriptions in the UAE.

Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stated:

“Through the Zayed National Museum Research Fund grants, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving and safeguarding our rich heritage, inspired by the values and visionary leadership of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He urged us to hold onto our past and draw inspiration from it as we move toward a prosperous future.”

Dr Peter Magee, Director of the Zayed National Museum, added: “These projects reflect the museum’s commitment to expanding knowledge, fostering community engagement, and leveraging scientific research to deepen our understanding of the region’s history.”

Dr Fatima Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archives at the National Library and Archives, for her research on ‘The History of Formal Education in Abu Dhabi: A Study of Qasr Al Hosn Documents (1957–66)’.

Fatima Al Shehhi and Hessa Al Shehhi from the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al Khaimah, for their study on ‘Reconstructing the History, Technology, and Uses of Pottery through the Analysis of Pottery Remains from Archaeological Sites in Ras Al Khaimah’.

Marwan Al Falasi for his project ‘The Encyclopedia of Native Trees in the UAE: Ancient and Seasonal Trees—Compilation, Analysis, and Commentary’, a comprehensive illustrated book.

Dr Khaled Al Awadhi for his research on ‘Transnational Heritage: Placing Modern Architecture and Contemporary Landmarks of the UAE on the Global Map’.

Dr Michele Degli Esposti (Italy), Associate Professor at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures at the Polish Academy of Sciences, for his study ‘The Towers: Life and Death in Southeastern Arabia During the Second Millennium BCE’.

Dr Akshita Suryanarayan (India), Gerald Averay Wainwright Postdoctoral Fellow at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, for her research on ‘Understanding Long-Term Pottery Usage in Southeastern Arabia Through Organic Residue Analysis’.

Dr Yasser Elsheshtawy (US), Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, Columbia University, for his study ‘Zayed’s Gift to the People: A Typo-Morphological Study of the Emirati National House’.

Dr William Zimmerle (US), Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and a faculty member in the Arab Crossroads Studies and History programmes at NYU Abu Dhabi, for his project ‘The Art of Rock Inscriptions in Southern and Eastern Arabia’.