Eleyan Sawafta, MA, MA, BSc

Area of Study / Keywords

Political Science Peace & Conflict Studies Political Planning & Development Civil Engineering

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About

Eleyan Sawafta is a Ph.D. student and a graduate research assistant who holds a master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of North Carolina. He also has an MA in Political Planning and Development from An-Najah National University in Palestine, and a BA in Engineering from the same university. Currently, Sawafta is Canada's highly qualified personnel (HQP), working on a project funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). The project has a budget of $98.6M and focuses on citizenship and political participation. This project will be the first to concentrate on the Digital Platform Modernization and Transformation (DPMT) project, which is being developed at IRCC since 2021. DPMT will be a multi-million dollar initiative that is expected to be completed in 2026 and will result in the creation of a new digital platform for the immigration department. This platform will also be used by other agencies involved in its implementation, as well as non-governmental organizations funded by the government. 

The project will analyze the genesis of DPMT, its development process, and real-time challenges associated with deploying such a massive technological change in an immigration department. It will combine migration studies, public administration, technology studies, and infrastructure studies to achieve this. Sawafta's primary research interests involve analyzing the relationship between development and conflict through political economy and public policy. He has provided commentary on various topics such as democracy, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, environmental justice, and development through various media and events in the Middle East, Canada, and the US.

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Research

I am currently working on several research projects that reflect my commitment to addressing pressing issues at the intersection of technology, politics, and social justice. My PhD dissertation explores social non-movements in North America, focusing on how students navigate issues of surveillance and epistemic violence. Another key project examines Canadian parliamentary debates on AI and immigration, analyzing partisan rhetoric and the ethical implications of algorithmic governance. I also study digital diasporas, investigating how international students, especially BIPOC communities, negotiate identity and activism in both digital and physical spaces under the dual forces of empowerment and surveillance. Additionally, I am exploring how AI intersects with social movements, focusing on both the opportunities and risks of technological tools like predictive policing and algorithmic bias. Finally, my work also addresses anti-Palestinian racism in schooling, using critical media literacy to challenge biased portrayals of Palestinians and marginalized groups. Together, these projects aim to challenge existing systems of power while contributing to inclusive and transformative scholarship.

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Teaching

In Spring 2022, I began at the UNCG working as a teaching assistant for the course PCS 308: Working Through Interpersonal Conflict. This class investigates the origins of interpersonal and intergroup tensions and teaches effective techniques for addressing these issues in various settings, including the workplace, community, and home. Transitioning from my role as an Arabic tutor in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC) to a researcher and teaching assistant in the Peace and Conflict Studies department has provided me with excellent opportunities at UNCG to advance my professional and academic pursuits. I look forward to expanding my research further.

Eleyan Sawafta

USA. 2024 June; 16 (2):7-13

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Eleyan Sawafta

UK. 2024 February; 6 (1):142-146

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Eleyan Sawafta and Hasan Ayoub

Qatar. 2023 July; 12 (45):105-136 10.31430/WYLM1291

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Eleyan Sawafta

UK. 2023 February; 5 (1):200-237

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Eleyan Sawafta

Palestine . 2021 August;