Dear Friends and Comrades,

This week has been full of exciting announcements about our new issue and website, and today I’m writing to share an important change to our masthead. Over the summer, our executive editor Katie Natanel rotated off our editorial team after 3 and a half years. Katie came on board at the beginning of our partnership with Exeter’s Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies and into what was then a new position in our organization. Behind the scenes and throughout our pages, she’s guided our publication alongside managing editor Marya Hannun with care, attentiveness and commitment to our mission. It was a true pleasure working alongside Katie, and I’m glad she will remain part of our intellectual community even as she pursues new projects at Exeter and beyond. 

I am also thrilled to introduce you to Katie’s successor, Billie Jeanne Brownlee! Billie Jeanne is a political scientist based at Exeter specializing in media, displacement, social movements and political mobilization across the region. Beyond her research, she has also spent considerable time working with international organizations on migration and refugee issues. It has already been a fruitful partnership, and we at MERIP are glad to continue working with Billie Jeanne and Exeter. 

Last, but not least, we want to welcome back Michelle Woodward, who is a former managing editor at MERIP, has served as our photo editor for many  years and is now stepping into the role of staff editor. Michelle has been with MERIP in various roles for a long time, and we are excited to benefit from her skill and experience as we curate our magazine and other content on the new website. Simultaneously, we want to thank Alyssa Bivins and Michael Kaplan, two hard-working doctoral students at George Washington University, who assisted our editorial team over the last few years. They have been integral parts to our production process, but had to step back from MERIP duties in the last year. I wish them the best of luck on MERIP’s behalf!

As always, managing these changes relies on the support of our readers, and along with our new and old colleagues we’re looking forward to this new chapter. 

In Solidarity,

James Ryan
Executive Director

Honoring Joe Stork, Live in DC

Don't forget to RSVP for our live event next month at Busboys and Poets 450 K Street Location in Washington, D.C. We'll be remembering our co-founder and longtime editor Joe Stork, who passed away a year ago this week. Longtime contributors and comrades will be offering their thoughts and reflections on Joe's impact on MERIP, the world of Human Rights, and Middle East politics.