Research Seminar Series:
CAIS is holding a seminar in the CAIS Research Seminar Series on 16 August 2013.  The series is intended to generate discussion on current issues and reflect on experiences of CAIS graduate students and staff.  The seminar will feature an informal, conversational style of presentation, with a short lecture and discussion, and is designed for a mixed audience with general interest in the issue/event.
 
In this seminar, Heather Yeates will analyse contemporary international discussions taking place on the Syrian uprising. Based on her own research and observations, this analysis will also provide an overview of the recent conference hosted by the Centre for Syrian Studies at St Andrews University, Scotland.   The conference was a major international event that neatly captured key themes in debate and research currently underway on diverse aspects of the Syrian uprising. 

Heather Yeates is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies.  Heather has spent extended periods of time living and studying in Syria over the past seven years. Her thesis research is on the political economy of reform in Syria and the relationship with the GCC states.