Participants during the event.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Library hosted the third event in its “Qatar Contemporary History Series,” a two-day programme held on September 26–27, 2026, comprising a public lecture and an interactive workshop.
The event brought together academics, students, and researchers to explore approaches to the study of Qatar’s contemporary history.
Launched in January 2026, the Qatar Contemporary History Series runs throughout the year and aims to deepen public and academic engagement with the modern history of Qatar and the wider Gulf region. Through lectures, workshops, and discussions, the series brings together scholars, students, and the wider community to engage with Qatar National Library’s resources and support critical, evidence-based historical research.
The public lecture, titled “Research Skills in the Study of Qatar’s Contemporary History: Methods and Sources,” was delivered by Professor Mahjoob Zweiri, a visiting professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Middle East expert, and strategic adviser. He guided attendees through the essential stages of historical research within the Qatari and Gulf contexts, including formulating clear research questions, selecting appropriate methodological frameworks, and evaluating primary and secondary sources such as official documents, archival records, interviews, media, and academic literature.
The lecture concluded by demonstrating how these approaches can be applied to the study of Qatar’s contemporary history within its broader regional and international context.
“Equipping our community with robust research methodologies is fundamental to preserving and accurately interpreting our national history,” said Manager of Special Projects and Engagement at Qatar National Library, Noorah Al-Yazidi. “By combining expert insights with practical training, we are supporting researchers and students as they engage critically with Qatar’s contemporary history and its broader regional context.”
Commenting on the occasion, Professor Al-Zweiri said, “I was delighted to accept Qatar National Library’s invitation to contribute to this event, which focuses on the research skills needed to study Qatar’s contemporary history.”
He added, “The programme contributes to ongoing discussions around historical periodisation and how contemporary history is defined and approached. It also helps researchers develop the skills needed to engage rigorously with the study and writing of Qatar’s contemporary history.”
Building on the concepts introduced in the lecture, the Library held an interactive, hands-on workshop on September 27, 2026, titled “Practical Applications in Research Skills: The Study of Qatar’s Contemporary History.” The workshop translated theory into practice through sample research cases and practical exercises. Participants explored how to formulate precise research questions, select appropriate sources, develop hypotheses, organise research materials, conduct critical analysis, and make effective use of digital archives. The session also covered academic referencing and citation techniques aligned with international standards.
