The Fourth International Kurdish Studies Conference was held on April 22-23, 2025, at University of Kurdistan Hewler (UKH) in Erbil, bringing together over 100 researchers from 27 countries, showing the growth of Kurdish studies in the academic world.
#UKH is a pioneer of research and innovation and will continue to explore new ways to improve the academic and scientific environment in the Kurdistan Region.
— University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (@UKH_official) April 22, 2025
Dr. Zana Ibrahim, interim UKH president. #Kurdishstudies2025 pic.twitter.com/o4wbtKgGql
“This is a rare but significant moment in Kurdish studies research, to have renowned scholars from different countries coming together to share their conceptual and empirical studies on behalf of the university,” UKH Interim President Zana Ibrahim said at the conference. “I’m grateful for the work collectively put into the organization of this conference, along with the contributions of our partners, sponsors, and organizing committees.”
Les 22-23 avril @institutkurde et @UKH_official ont coorganisé à Erbil la 4e Conférence des études kurdes avec le soutien du KRG. +100 chercheurs venus de 27 pays ont échangé autour du thème«Repenser le Kurdistan:identité, politique et résistance dans un Moyen-Orient en mutation» pic.twitter.com/aZcNegS7QJ
— KRG - France (@KrgFrance) April 23, 2025
“Hosting this conference is an honor for the UKH. It not only highlights the vitality of the topics being discussed, but also underscores the urgent need for more empirical and scholarly investigations into issues related to Kurdish studies.”
The event was co-organized and hosted by the UKH and the Kurdish Institute of Paris with the help of two partner organizations: the Center of Peace Building and Dialogue, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Moreover, the conference was sponsored by France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and the French Embassy in Baghdad.
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France’s Consul General to the Kurdistan Region Yann Braem underlined that “France is a firm supporter of the Kurdistan Region, with which we enjoy a longstanding relation of friendship and a high level of cooperation, from our highest political leaders – you saw that President Nechirvan Barzani was received in Paris last week by President Emmanuel Macron – in the field of security, education, culture, Francophonie, and even economic exchanges.”
On Wednesday, France’s for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot also visited the Kurdistan Region, and met with senior Kurdish leaders, such as KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
“I feel privileged today to participate in the opening of the Fourth International Kurdish Studies Conference,” Consul General Braem continued.
“I also feel impressed by such a large attendance of scholars coming from all over the world. It shows how vibrant debates in social sciences and humanities are around the Kurdish issue.
“I want to congratulate the organizers for planning this event to take place in Erbil, demonstrating the importance of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the Kurdish world, and in the Middle East at large.”
The #Kurds were denied of their rights for long times, which is a black era of history. Now, the Kurds, thanks to the courage of their fighters, are one of the most visible nations in the ME.
— University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (@UKH_official) April 22, 2025
Kendal Nezan, president of @institutkurde. #Kurdishstudies2025 pic.twitter.com/dNjlEiPZSI
Kendal Nezan, President of the Kurdish Institute of Paris, underlined that they “are encouraged by the growing global interest in Kurdish studies.
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“Twenty years ago, we were able to bring together around 20 Western academics, including renowned figures such as Joyce Blau. Their presentations were translated into Kurdish, fostering the growth of local studies and researchers.
“Today, we are proud to host over 140 participants from 27 countries, presenting papers across 15 diverse fields. These range from classic topics like Kurdish language, literature, and history, to more contemporary subjects such as gender studies, memory studies, artificial intelligence, and quantitative research in Kurdish studies.”
Hamit Bozarslan, Director of Studies at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, added that “it is inspiring to see how Kurdish studies is flourishing. We’ve had dark historic times that have implications on the future.”
Janroj Yilmaz Keles, Associate Professor in Politics at Middlesex University, on the second day praised the Kurdish Institute of Paris for their “critical work on the Kurdish cause [that] will remain inspirational for generations.”
