Three new International Programs affinity groups are creating new opportunities for collaboration and global engagement across the University of Iowa (UI).
The Southwest Asian and North African Studies Group (SWANA), the Food Studies Group (FSG), and the Global Exchange Network are the newest additions to International Programs' network of 12 affinity groups, connecting faculty, staff, and students around shared interests in research, teaching, and international engagement.
Through affinity groups, International Programs (IP) supports interdisciplinary communities that develop new courses, pursue collaborative research, and engage public audiences through lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and other programs that extend the university's global reach.
"IP is excited to welcome SWANA, the Food Studies Group and the Global Exchange Network as its newest affinity groups," said Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. "Each unit has dynamic faculty and staff with extensive interdisciplinary connections throughout the university. More importantly, these groups have already established large audiences for their activities, highlighting the popularity and interest in these areas of global engagement."
Southwest Asian and North African Studies Group
As a new IP affinity group, SWANA will support scholarship, teaching, and public engagement related to the Southwest Asia and North African regions.
'"We hope that SWANA will help support faculty research on the region and highlight the important scholarly contributions of its members," said Yasmine Ramadan, associate professor of Arabic and affiliate faculty in translation in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and founding director of SWANA.
Planned activities include lectures, film screenings, exhibitions, and symposia, as well as collaborations on course offerings and other initiatives that engage students and the broader community.
"As such, we look forward to the group being an institutional home for those working on, or interested in, the SWANA region," said Ramadan.
Food Studies Group
After launching as a pilot group last fall, the Food Studies Group is now joining IP's affinity group network.
"The Food Studies Group brings together faculty across disciplines to examine every aspect of the production, preparation, and consumption of food," said Ari Ariel, associate professor of instruction in history, director of international studies, and founding director of FSG.
As an official affinity group, FSG will provide a space for faculty to share research, develop curricular initiatives, and build new collaborations around food studies.
Last year, FSG co-sponsored two events: Food Around the World and the Food, Culture, and Memory symposium. Both events brought together campus and community members to explore food's connections to culture, identity, and global learning. FSG plans to host Food Around the World again this year.
"Food is a powerful lens for understanding culture and history," Ariel said. "We hope these gatherings spark curiosity and conversation about the global connections we share through what we eat."
Global Exchange Network
The Global Exchange Network will launch as a pilot affinity group during the 2026-27 academic year, creating a space for faculty and staff interested in virtual exchange and globally connected learning.
The idea for the affinity group emerged from conversations among faculty who suspected others across campus were doing similar work but lacked a formal way to connect and share resources.
"The Global Exchange Network will connect faculty and staff across campus who share an interest in creating meaningful cross-cultural learning experiences, both inside and outside the classroom," said Erin C. Johnson, associate professor of instruction in management and entrepreneurship, and the founding director of the Global Exchange Network.
In her International Business Environment course, Johnson has spent more than five years connecting students with classes in Kosovo, Poland, China, and most recently, Ecuador, through global virtual team projects.
“These have been really rewarding experiences not just for my students but for me personally,” said Johnson. "It's really fortunate that IP has given us a way to connect with other faculty and staff interested in building these programs and linking them to outcomes that students, families, and employers care about. Through virtual global exchange, our students can practice working in global virtual teams, engage in creative problem solving, and learn how to clearly communicate complex ideas to new audiences."
Learn more about International Programs affinity groups
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.