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Panel Chair Guidelines

Focused Research Panel Criteria 

Focused Research Panels are designed for small, pre-organized groups of scholars to examine a clearly defined and timely issue through concentrated, collaborative research. Unlike the larger GSS workshop format, Focused Panels bring together a limited number of contributors around a tightly framed subject and culminate in a single two-hour session during the Symposium.

  • Each Focused Research Panel will be led by one Chair, who will convene four to six scholars with demonstrated expertise relevant to the proposed topic.
  • The Chair is responsible for submitting an overall panel proposal outlining the central theme, research questions, proposed contributors, and their individual contributions.
  • Panel topics should be clearly focused, timely, and analytically significant, with direct relevance to the GCC states, Iraq, Yemen, or Iran.
  • Applicants may select a topic from GSS's announced list of timely issues or propose another emerging subject of clear relevance to the Gulf region.
  • Contributors will prepare individual chapters or research contributions that collectively form a single, integrated report of approximately 10,000–12,000 words, generally consisting of four to six chapters.
  • Contributions should complement one another and collectively develop a coherent argument rather than function solely as unrelated stand-alone papers.
  • The final report should present the panel's principal findings and analysis and, where appropriate to the subject, identify broader implications or policy recommendations.
  • Each panel will culminate in a two-hour session during the Gulf Studies Symposium. Contributors will normally deliver 15–20-minute formal presentations based on their respective research contributions.
  • Presentations will be followed by moderated discussion, comments among panel participants, and audience Q&A, depending on available time.
  • All contributors are expected to circulate their written contributions among fellow panel participants in advance to encourage substantive discussion and greater integration across the final report.
  • Applicants should prioritize scholarly quality, complementary expertise, and diversity of perspectives and institutions when forming their panel.
  • Participants may submit one application in each category: Academic Workshop, Open Policy Workshop, and Focused Research Panel. However, selected applicant will lead no more than one workshop or panel. Participants may still take part in other GSS sessions in different capacities—for example, they may lead a Focused Research Panel and present a paper in a workshop, or present in both a workshop and a Focused Research Panel.

Please note that GSS will NOT cover travel or lodging expenses for Focused Research Panel chairs or provide travel grants for panel presenters.