Publications

First Series

The first series of the Occasional Papers of the School of Abbasid Studies was an ‘in-house’ publication issued at St. Andrews University under the auspices of the then Director of the School, Dr. D.E.P. Jackson. Between 1990 and 1994 four issues were published, containing a selection of papers presented at the School’s conferences and seminars as well as guest-lectures.

Second Series

After the revival of the School of Abbasid Studies in 2000, it was decided to resume publication of the Occasional Papers as well, now under the title Abbasid Studies. Occasional Papers of the School of Abbasid Studies. Volumes I and II have been published by Peeters, Leuven, and volume III appeared as a thematic issue of Oriens published by Brill, Leiden.

Abbasid Studies IV

The very last of the Occasional Papers of the School of Abbasid Studies, Abbasid Studies IV (edited by Monique Bernards),was published by the Gibb Memorial Trust.

JAS

Since July 2014, one can read up on the latest in Abbasid Studies in the Journal of Abbasid Studies (JAS) published by Brill, Leiden with two issues per year.

Most recent conference

The fifteenth conference of the School of Abbasid Studies took place from Tuesday July 12 till Saturday July 16, 2022
at Oxford University, UK.

Awards

Alastair Northedge, Paris-based British professor, researcher and archaeologist best known for his surveys of Samarra, is 2020 laureate of Tamayouz Excellence Award’s Special Recognition Award.
The Special Recognition Award aims to celebrate and recognize contributions to humanity, architecture and the built environment and is presented annually to individuals or organizations.
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Michael Cooperson, professor of Near Eastern languages and cultures, has received the Sheikh Zayed Award for his Arabic-to-English translation of “Impostures” by Maqamat Al-Hariri.
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New publication

Popeye and Curly: 120 Days in Medieval Baghdad
Written and Illustrated by Emily Selove

Popeye and Curly is a book of cartoons about Abbasid Baghdad, starring book-loving author Popeye (al-Jahiz) and winebibbing poet Curly (Abu Nuwas), along with their friends Coral (a singing girl) and the Caliph of one of the world’s most influential empires in history. Each episode is derived from historical sources, and designed to entertain, educate, and amaze.

It includes a short preface by Geert Jan van Gelder, as well as a bibliography and index. The full-colour pictures are inspired by illustrations of al-Hariri’s Maqamat.