Empowering Syrian Women Academics
Connecting Syrian women academics and researchers inside Syria and abroad — creating a space for communication, knowledge exchange, professional development, academic mentoring and scientific collaboration.
A key project of the Syrian Women Academic Network
The Empowering Syrian Women Academics project is one of the key projects of the Syrian Women Academic Network (SWAN), a network affiliated with the German-Syrian Research Foundation (DSFG e.V.). SWAN aims to connect Syrian women academics and researchers inside Syria and abroad, creating a space for communication, the exchange of knowledge and experience, professional development, academic mentoring, and scientific collaboration.
The project builds on the important role Syrian women play in universities, research centers, and academic institutions, as well as the need to create a supportive environment that enables them to develop their academic and professional careers and gain better access to research, training, leadership, and collaboration opportunities. With this in mind, the project adopts an integrated approach that combines capacity building, professional development, academic mentoring, research support, networking, and the promotion of a safe academic working environment.
Supporting women academics at every career stage
The Empowering Syrian Women Academics project aims to support Syrian women academics and researchers at different stages of their academic and professional careers, strengthening their ability to further develop their careers and participate actively in academic and research life.
Skills & career development
Practical opportunities to strengthen skills in research, scientific writing, and leadership, alongside mentoring, guidance, and academic career planning.
Networks & opportunities
Expanding academic and professional networks and learning about funding and grant opportunities available inside Syria and abroad.
Rights & protection
Addressing professional rights, protection, and workplace-related issues, and building awareness of respect, safety, and equal opportunities.
The project goes beyond supporting women academics at the individual level. It also seeks to strengthen connections and collaboration among Syrian women academics and researchers and to benefit from the knowledge and experience available both inside Syria and within the Syrian academic community abroad.
Specialised programmes built around real academic needs
Training is one of the project's core components. A range of specialized programs and workshops will be offered in response to the academic and professional needs of women academics and researchers.
Leadership in Science
Focuses on strengthening leadership, decision-making, team management, and academic initiative skills.
Entrepreneurship in Science
Supports participants in developing scientific and research ideas and exploring how they can be transformed into practical initiatives and projects.
Scientific Writing & Grant Applications
Specialised training supporting researchers in preparing scientific papers, developing research proposals, and accessing funding opportunities.
Responsible AI in Research
In response to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, training on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in scientific research, with emphasis on the academic, ethical, and responsible use of AI tools.
Safe academic working environments
The project includes a Training of Trainers (ToT) program focusing on key issues related to protection and the academic working environment.
This component aims to build the capacities of a group of trainers who can transfer their knowledge and experience to the wider academic community, thereby contributing to the sustainability and broader impact of the project within the academic community.
Topics covered
- Harassment
- Bullying
- Abuse of power
- Reporting mechanisms
- Confidentiality
- Safe working environments
- Conflict management
Guidance from experienced academics, inside Syria and abroad
The Mentoring Program is another important component of the project. It aims to connect women academics and researchers, particularly those at earlier stages of their careers, with experienced academics and professionals inside Syria and within the Syrian academic community abroad.
The program provides a space for exchanging experiences and receiving guidance in areas such as research and scientific publishing, academic and professional career development, grant applications, access to opportunities, and professional networking.
This component directly reflects SWAN's broader vision of strengthening connections among Syrian women academics and making use of the diverse expertise and knowledge available both inside and outside Syria.
From skills development to concrete academic outputs
In addition to training and mentoring, the project provides competitive small grants to support scientific research, publications, and academic initiatives.
Competitive small grants
Support is intended to help beneficiaries develop and implement research ideas and small-scale academic initiatives, as well as support the development of academic publications, through a clear and transparent selection process.
Knowledge into practice
In this way, the project combines skills development with practical opportunities to apply acquired knowledge and translate it into concrete academic and research activities and outputs.
A practical Toolkit for women academics
The project will also develop a practical Toolkit for women academics and researchers, designed as a resource that can be used both during and beyond the project period. The Toolkit will address topics related to professional support, rights and protection, mentoring and grant opportunities, and academic career planning. It will also include practical tools and templates to support women academics in developing their professional and research careers.
A resource designed to be used both during and beyond the project period.
Amplifying the voices of Syrian women academics
The Empowering Syrian Women Academics project is not limited to training and direct support activities. It also includes a communication and knowledge-sharing component aimed at strengthening the visibility of Syrian women academics and amplifying their voices and experiences.
Podcasts & video content
Through podcasts and video content, the project will highlight the academic and professional journeys of Syrian women academics, showcasing their expertise, achievements, and experiences while reflecting the diversity of the Syrian academic community.
Regular newsletter
The project will publish a regular newsletter to share project news, activities, opportunities, and relevant content for women academics, researchers, and the wider SWAN community.
Building a connected Syrian women's academic community
Empowering Syrian Women Academics forms part of the broader vision of the Syrian Women Academic Network (SWAN) to build a stronger and more connected network of Syrian women academics and researchers and to promote knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and collaboration among women across different disciplines and career stages, both inside Syria and abroad. SWAN serves as the umbrella connecting these activities to a broader objective: building a connected Syrian women's academic community capable of exchanging knowledge and expertise and developing collaboration across institutions, disciplines, and geographical boundaries.
The Empowering Syrian Women Academics project runs from August 2026 to March 2028, with activities focused in Damascus and Rural Damascus, Aleppo and Rural Aleppo, and Latakia and Rural Latakia. Through training, mentoring, research support, networking, and scientific communication, the project seeks to expand opportunities for Syrian women academics and researchers, strengthen their academic, professional, and leadership participation, and build sustainable academic connections between Syrian women academics inside Syria and abroad. In doing so, it contributes to the mission of the Syrian Women Academic Network (SWAN) and the broader vision of the German-Syrian Research Foundation (DSFG e.V.) to support scientific research and academic collaboration.
Be part of a connected academic community
Join SWAN's network of Syrian women academics and researchers inside Syria and abroad — and gain access to training, mentoring, research support, and collaboration opportunities.