Doha Institute for Graduate Studies has received three research grants from Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) programmes during Qatar Foundation’s recently held Annual Research Conference at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies’ success rate was more than double the overall competition average.
The DI was awarded two three-year grants through the ninth cycle of the National Priorities Research Programme (NPRP). The first grant is for a project titled “School Experience, Educational Aspirations and Scholastic Achievement.”  The project will be led by Dr Nabil Khattab, associate professor of Sociology at the DI, in collaboration with researchers from Qatar University, Bristol University (UK), and Kingston University (UK).
Khattab said: “We are aware that there is no significant correlation between wealth and school performance of Qatari students as demonstrated by the results of the Program for International Assessment (PISA). We will examine some important questions, such as why don’t students in Qatar perform well in these international tests and what explains the general underperformance of students in Qatar?
“Moreover, our study will examine the impact of family backgrounds, parents’ expectations and involvement, and out-of-school and ex-curricular activities on the way students develop their aspirations and their future orientations, including career aspirations and beyond.”
Another NPRP grant that was awarded to the DI is by Dr Eid Mohamed, associate professor of Comparative Literature in collaboration with DI researchers Dr Hamid Dabashi, Dr Aziz Douai, and Dr Ayman el-Douskey, in addition to support from Columbia University (US) and George Mason University (US).  
The project titled “Transcultural Identities: Solidaristic Action and Contemporary Arab Social Movements,” will explore the development of socio-cultural structures amidst political transformations taking place in the Arab world.  
Mohamed said: “We will examine the interaction of political, religious and cultural factors in the development of an Arab identity at a challenging historical juncture facing the region.  To accomplish this, our research will analyse contemporary works by Arab artists.  
“Ultimately, we will produce our research outcomes in a book and academic journal entries as well as an online database that will document social movements resulting from the Arab Spring, which continue to influence contemporary Arab culture.”
The DI earned a third research grant from OSRA, a joint research fund between Doha International Family Institute and QNRF in its first cycle. The project, led by Dr Yousef Daoud, head of Development Economics Programme, is titled “Parenting, Social Preferences and Forward-looking Behaviour in Arab Societies - an Experimental Study.”  
Research will be conducted in association with Kings College in London. Daoud said: “This experimental study will look into the impact of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the ambitions and behaviour of parents and their children.  We will examine how current Palestinian circumstances impact decision making for both parents and children.”
Raed Habayeb, director of the Research and Grant Office said: “This is a great accomplishment for the DI in its inaugural year of operation.  With the selection of three of our proposals, we have gained the recognition of the leading research funding organisation in Qatar.”