Welcome to the Southwest Asian and North African Studies Group!

The Southwest Asian and North African Studies (SWANA) Group is an interdisciplinary group of faculty and scholars at the University of Iowa whose research and teaching focuses on the region. Members are scholars in such disciplines as history, religious studies, literature, linguistics, translation, and public health. The SWANA Group will work to create collaborative opportunities for faculty and students, across disciplines, in teaching, research, and outreach. The group members will cooperate to expand curricular offerings, promote research and artistic activity, and organize lectures, film series, exhibitions, and symposia. We intend to connect with partners across the university and the wider community.

SWANA in the News

International Programs welcomes three new faculty-directed affinity groups

Thursday, September 3, 2026
The University of Iowa’s International Programs welcomes three new affinity groups—Southwest Asian and North African Studies Group (SWANA), Food Studies Group, and Global Exchange Network—creating new opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to collaborate through research, teaching, and global engagement.

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Contact SWANA

Yasmine Ramadan

Title/Position
Director, Southwest Asian and North African Studies