Security, Rehabilitation and Healing – What’s Next?

Deadline extended to Monday, January 26th

• Individual Oral Presentation submission link
• Poster Presentation link
• Roundtable link
• Panel session submission link

We invite scholars researching all aspects of Israel Studies to submit proposals for organized panels, roundtables, workshops, individual papers and posters.
This year’s conference will take place at Ramat Gan Academic College

(המכללה האקדמית רמת גן الكلية الأكاديمية رمات چان)

and will focus on the theme: “Security, Rehabilitation and Healing – What’s Next?”

We are also pleased to announce the composition of the conference’s Program Committee (scroll further down).

In the aftermath of profound national trauma and in the face of ongoing social, political, and technological change, Israel confronts new questions about the meaning of security, recovery, and healing – as a state, as a society, and as part of the global community.
This conference invites critical discussion on how Israel’s security challenges, social recovery, and healing processes intersect with technology, culture, and international relations.

Sub-Topics include (but are not limited to):

• The evolving concept of national and personal security in Israel
• Technological innovations in defense, rehabilitation, and social healing
• AI and digital health: technology for trauma recovery and mental health
• The role of education and culture in post-conflict rehabilitation
• Public discourse and media narratives around security and recovery
• The impact of recent conflicts on Israeli society and minority relations
• Ethical and legal perspectives on rehabilitation and national resilience
• Environmental recovery and sustainable rebuilding after conflict
• Gender and rehabilitation: women’s experiences in times of crisis
• Diaspora-Israel relations in times of trauma and healing
• Comparative perspectives on national resilience and post-war healing
• Cultural production (film, literature, art) as a mode of healing and testimony
• The role of religion and spirituality in social rehabilitation
• Economic recovery and social policy innovation
• Digital diplomacy and cybersecurity as instruments of security and stability

Deadline for Submission of all proposals:
January 19, 2026.

• All proposals must be submitted online, using the submission links below.
  
• This year, for the first time, we will be opening a session for poster presentations! Posters, if accepted, will be displayed throughout the conference and will have specific timeslots whereby the research findings can be presented and discussed with conference participants.
  
• Panel sessions and roundtables should include the panel theme, the individual topics, and the chair. Abstracts should not exceed 650 words.
  
  • We encourage organizers to keep diversity in mind.
    
• Individual oral presentations or poster proposals should not exceed 250 words.
  
• All presenters must register for the conference and be current AIS members in order to present and be listed on the conference program.

• AIS membership will be available as of January 2026.
  • Abstracts are accepted by early March.
  • Conference registration opens at that time.
    
• Graduate students who have completed their course work are encouraged to submit their abstract proposal and should provide the email of their advisor for approval.
  
  • Questions? Please contact the AIS conference coordinator at conf@aisisraelstudies.org
    
• Individual Oral Presentation submission link
• Poster Presentation link
• Roundtable link
• Panel session submission link

AIS Junior Scholar Workshop

This year’s conference will include a dedicated Junior Scholar Workshop. We invite proposals for workshop themes and formats that will support emerging scholars in the field. All thematic ideas are welcome, and the selected workshop will be held as part of the main conference program. Write the AIS executive team for details: ais@aisisraelstudies.org

Deadline for Requesting Travel Grant:
January 19, 2026

The AIS will provide a limited number of travel grants to assist graduate students and PhD holders without university funding, for their travel to Israel.

– All travel grant applications must be submitted by January 19,2026.

– The travel grant is submitted online, using the below form.

– Click here for the Travel Grant submission form.

Conference Chair, Steering Committee and
Program Committee

AI, Economics & Public Policy Niv Ahituv, Tel Aviv University Igor Nor, Ramat Gan Academic College Lihi Lahat, Sapir Academic College	Israel in/and the Muslim World P.R. Kumaraswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Disability Studies, Mental Health & Physical Health Khaled Awawdi, Ramat Gan Academic College Marco di Giulio, Franklin & Marshall College	Israeli Politics  Avi Shilon, New York University Ilan Peleg, Lafayette College
Anthropology & Ethnicities Esther Hertzog, Zefat Academic College Ian McGonigle, Maynooth University Aziza Khazzoom, Indiana University	Law Eyal Katvan, Peres Academic Center Steven Zipperstein, UCLA
Arab & Palestinian Society Ilan Saban, University of Haifa Anwar Mhajne, Stonehill College Hala	Military, Security, Defense Ayelet Harel, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Norrin Ripsman, Lehigh University
Education Asnat Dor, Yezreel Valley College Mor Deshen, Ramat Gan Academic College Ilana Horwitz, Tulane University	Philosophy, Spirituality & Religiosity Liron Hoch, Zefat Academic College Gabor Balazs, Jewish University of Budapest
Geography, Urbanity & the Environment Aviva Peeters, Sami Shamoon College of Engineering Noga Collins-Kreiner, University of Haifa	Media & Communications Azi Lev-On, Ariel University Assaf Shelleg, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Giora Goodman, Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee
History of Zionism Brian Horowitz, Tulane University Natan Shifris, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem	Language & Literature Adia Mendelson-Maoz, The Open University of Israel
History of the Yishuv Aviva Halamish, The Open University of Israel Noam Zadoff, University of Innsbruck Dotan Goren, Bar-Ilan University	Film, Visual Culture & the Arts Dan Chyutin, Tel Aviv University Leah Gilula, The Israel Goor Theatre Archives & Museum Yaron Shemer, University of North Carolina – Pembroke
History of the State of Israel Amir Goldstein, Tel-Hai College Ofira Gruweis Kovalsky, Zefat Academic College	Sociology Einat Libel-Hass, Ramat Gan Academic College Marcela Menachem Zoufalá, Charles University
International Relations & Conflict Resolution Yael Efron, Ramat Gan Academic College Nellie Munin, Zefat Academic College Natan Aridan, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Taro Tsurumi, University of Tokyo	Women, Gender & Sexualities Sylvie Fogel Bijaoui, Ramat Gan Academic College Ebtesam Barakat, Zefat Academic College Susanna Heschel, Dartmouth College