ASA Symposium
2025 Assyrian Studies Symposium held at Arizona State University!
Connections. Collaborations. Community.
The Assyrian Studies Association, in partnership with Arizona State University, is proud to announce that the 2025 Assyrian Studies Symposium is be held from October 24-26, 2025. This year's theme is Innovative Methodologies in Assyrian Studies. The 2025 program chairs, Alexandra Lazar (University of California, Davis), Dr. Julye Bidmead (Chapman University), Dr. Nahrain Bet Younadam (Arizona State University), Dr. Mariam Georgis (Simon Fraser University), Dr. Önver A. Cetrez (Uppsala University) and consultant, Dr. Helen Malko (Stanford University Humanities Center) look forward to your attendance and participation.
This event is open to the public with prior registration. Space is limited.
2025 Symposium Theme
Innovative Methodologies in Assyrian Studies
The field of Assyrian Studies is undergoing a transformative shift as scholars increasingly embrace interdisciplinary methodologies to explore the rich history, dynamic cultural heritage, and contemporary realities of the Assyrian people. This year’s symposium seeks to be a catalyst for this evolution, spotlighting groundbreaking research approaches that deepen our understanding of Assyrian identity and heritage. Drawing from the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and beyond, the symposium will illuminate how these innovative methodologies are redefining the boundaries of Assyrian Studies.
This symposium will provide participants with an intellectually vibrant space to engage in critical dialogue with leading researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and inspiring new avenues for future research. Beyond academic inquiry, the symposium will also feature a cultural dimension, offering attendees an immersive experience of Assyrian artistic and cultural expression. By blending scholarly discourse with cultural appreciation, the event aims to create a holistic platform for advancing the field of Assyrian Studies.
We invite scholars from diverse disciplines to submit abstracts that align with this thematic focus. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, we aim to push the boundaries of critical Assyrian Studies and contribute to a deeper and more just understanding of Assyrian history, culture, and identity. This is an opportunity to challenge conventional perspectives, explore new research avenues, and elevate the field of Assyrian Studies to a central position in academic discourse.
Sponsors
Thank You for your Support
The Assyrian Foundation of America (“AFA”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax exempt organization registered in the state of California established to help needy Assyrians around the world, support Assyrian education, and preserve and promote the Assyrian language and culture. The AFA has no affiliation with any church or religious group, or any political group or organization.
We are a leading school in one of the largest public research universities in the world. Our cutting-edge interdisciplinary research addresses challenges, and generates knowledge about governance, cooperation, and conflict. We inspire action and solutions about social, political, and economic issues facing Arizona, the United States, and the world. Dedicated to ASU’s pursuit of inclusive excellence, we teach at scale, cultivate leaders, hone critical thinking and analytical skills. We empower students from diverse backgrounds to realize their professional dreams. Socially embedded in a fast-growing cosmopolitan city, we explore the connections between the global and local to produce and disseminate knowledge in pursuit of a sustainable and secure future for all.
The Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict at Arizona State University advances multidisciplinary research and education on the religious dynamics of conflict and peace.
By fostering exchange and collaboration, the center creates networks—local, national, and global—that expand knowledge, deepen understanding, and promote wiser, more effective responses to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
The Center sponsors advanced research in the humanities and the interpretive social sciences by investing in experiences—fellowships, workshops, lectures, and other events—that enrich knowledge in and across the disciplines. Through a partnership with the renowned Center for Spatial and Textual Analysis (CESTA), the Humanities Center embraces emerging digital methods to complement traditional kinds of analysis and interpretation. Together, the Stanford Humanities Center and CESTA serve as the hub of an international network of fellows, visiting scholars, students, and alumni
Roger Williams University is inextricably connected to Roger Williams, the 17th-century leader devoted to freedom of conscience and social justice who founded a community in Rhode Island based on those tenets. Roger Williams' philosophy, and what has been called his 'lively experiment,' nurtured the growth of vibrant and open societies. Our pursuit of excellence in education, academic accomplishment and community service is rooted in his focus on intellectual exchange, critical thinking, inclusiveness and innovation as a means of improving a free society. It is this legacy that inspires our core purpose.
Founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, the University of Salamanca was Spain’s first institution of higher learning. By 1254 it had received acknowledgment from Pope Alexander IV as being one of the four great world universities, along with the universities of Oxford, Paris and Bologna.
The Nineveh Chair was created within the institutional framework of the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, which since its inception has been creating over the years Extraordinary Chair with a relevant role in the transmission of knowledge concerning a figure or important culture. On the other hand, it has also been a secular objective to offer its spaces to welcome other cultures and spread the knowledge of them
Through research, seminars, debates, meetings with scholars, magistrates, journalists, artists, the Nineveh Chair will seek to promote knowledge of Assyria in its various socio-cultural and linguistic aspects. These activities will respond to a planning that will involve the various cultural, social and political institutions and associations present in the territory and will focus on current or historical issues.
The Seyfo Center is an international research and educational organization dedicated to raising awareness about the Assyrian Genocide of 1915, also known as Seyfo. Its mission is to document historical truths, preserve Assyrian heritage, and advocate for recognition of crimes against humanity committed against the Assyrian people. Through publications, conferences, community outreach, and partnerships with academic and cultural institutions, Seyfo Center works to ensure that the memory of the genocide is not forgotten while promoting justice, reconciliation, and education for future generations. The Arizona Chapter has created the first-ever high school curriculum on the Assyrian Genocide to be officially approved by the states of Arizona and Illinois. In addition, the chapter has published the first-ever children’s books on the Assyrian Genocide, expanding awareness and education to younger generations.
In 2007 MarShimun.org was established thanks to digitized historical records and donations made by individuals in the Assyrian community from their personal family records and collectables. MarShimun.org is an archival resource for the Mar Shimun patriarchs spanning 658 years from 1318 to 1975. Given the limited documented history and validated information, the goal of MarShimun.org is to provide authentic information via historical records of the Patriarchs of the d’Mar Shimun successional line and other notable family members of their work and challenges for the Assyrian Church and Nation. Over time, the site has progressed into a larger endeavor that’s resulted in mining available archives, namely documents and photos. We are proud of the wide-ranging sources that we’ve accumulated these documents. In some cases, these records varying from private letters, obscure articles, to eyewitness accounts of historical events and declassified government reports that have now been made available. Additionally, the Mar Shimun Memorial Foundation 501(c), evolved with the goal of provided educational and aid relief during instability in the middle east.
How Can You Make A Difference?
Sponsor
Sponsors are an integral part of the success of our Symposiums and we welcome your partnership! Sponsors are recognized widely throughout our Biennial Symposiums, having the opportunity for plenty of face time with attendees while reaching international scholars, educators and practitioners. Our Symposium maintains the sense of a smaller, more intimate conference - ideal for networking, researching, and scholarly exchange.This event is open to the public.
Donate
Your generous donation represents a powerful commitment to advancing the growth, inclusivity, and diversity of Assyrian Studies. With your support, we are able to continue organizing transformative Symposiums at universities, bringing together scholars, students, and experts to explore and elevate the field. Your contribution also helps fund essential grants for graduate students, empowering the next generation of Assyrian Studies scholars to pursue their academic aspirations.
Advertise
As the first and only Symposium in the world dedicated to the dynamic and evolving field of Assyrian Studies, we provide a unique platform that bridges scholars with products, services, and opportunities that directly support their academic and professional interests. Our biennial symposium serves as a vital gathering, bringing together hundreds of distinguished scholars, researchers, and professionals from around the globe.
Get in Touch
Assyrian Studies Association
P.O. Box 632
Woodland Hills, CA 91365
About ASA
The Assyrian Studies Association (ASA) is a nonprofit organization established in 2019 with a 501(c)(3) status. ASA is dedicated to promoting the academic study of the Assyrian heritage through supporting research, teaching, and intellectual collaboration among scholars in various fields, such as history, archaeology, cultural heritage, religion, language, literary studies, social sciences, arts and architecture, and law.
ASA recognizes the growing need to protect Assyrian culture and heritage, therefore created the Preserving Assyria program. This program consists of four initiatives: Heritage Archive, Oral History, Giving Back, and Educational Initiative. The aim of the program is to showcase the work of Assyrians in these fields and beyond, bringing them together to illustrate a vibrant, robust, and authentic experience of Assyro-Mesopotamian heritage.