AUK Hosts Book Talk by Research Affiliate and Alumna
20th Mar 2023 | by the Department of PR & Marketing
AUK hosted a book talk by AUK research affiliate and licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Juliet Dinkha, and AUK alumna and communications professional, Ms. Aya Abdulhadi. They discussed their newly released book, titled, “Navigating Social Identity: A Young Adult Story of Time.”
The AUK library co-hosted this event with the Office of Research and Grants’ Faculty Speaker Series (FSS). The event provided an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about their collaborative work.
The authors were introduced by Dr. Salime Smadi, associate professor of organizational behavior at the College of Business and Economics, and Ms. Asma Al Kanan, the University librarian at AUK, both of whom noted that the University was proud to host a former professor and a graduate back to campus to share their work.
Dr. Dinkha and Ms. Abdulhadi highlighted how their book explores the numerous aspects of young adult life; from media consumption to the effects of gender segregation in university life, altruism, social media habits, the effects of Western cultural imperialism on their body image, depression and coping skills, and most recently, the effects of having lived during a pandemic. The book is written with a storytelling approach that balances research findings along with the social aspect of identity.
Dr. Dinkha conveyed her delight at being back on campus, “Being back to AUK brought a lot of great memories for me. It was amazing meeting some of my students and colleagues. I missed the environment and the social support I had created for the last 17 years. Most of all, I missed the academic feel I had left behind. I look forward to coming back for more research talk.”
Ms. Abdulhadi expressed a similar viewpoint, “I was honored to be back on campus again, and this time as a guest speaker to talk about our newly published book, and not as an AUK student. It was great to connect again with my professors, mentors and friends, who came alongside my family to attend and support our book talk.”
The event attracted an audience of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and special guests, ending with a Q&A session.
From left to right: Dr. Juliet Dinkha and Ms. Aya Abdulhadi
From left to right: Ms. Aya Abdulhadi and Dr. Juliet Dinkha
Group photo of organizers with Dr. Juliet Dinkha and Ms. Aya Abdulhadi