Public Affairs

AUK launched the first Faculty Speaker Series event of the 2025–2026 academic year with an engaging presentation by Dr. Sarah Al Shamali, Assistant Professor of Marketing, titled “Smart Research, Not Hard Research: Leveraging Frameworks as a Strategy.” The event took place on Wednesday, October 28, and marked the beginning of another year of insightful discussions that bring together faculty, researchers, and members of the academic community.
 
Dr. Sarah Al Shamali has been an Assistant Professor of Marketing at AUK since 2021. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of East London and has published research on topics such as mobile payment adoption, behavioral intentions related to charitable giving, and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. She has taught at both private and public institutions in Kuwait and continues to serve as a reviewer for several reputable academic journals.
 
Dr. Al Shamali shared her research experience and discussed how the Theory of Planned Behaviour can be applied across different disciplines as a foundation for building effective, interconnected studies. She emphasized the importance of adopting a flexible, well-established framework to enhance research efficiency and productivity, explaining that such an approach enables scholars to build on prior work rather than starting each study from scratch. Drawing on examples from her own academic journey, Dr. Al Shamali illustrated how this method not only increases efficiency but also contributes to cumulative knowledge building and helps researchers establish strong, relevant profiles through a coherent body of work.
 
The session began with opening remarks from Dr. Salime Smadi, Chair of the Faculty Speaker Series, who welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation to the former Director of the Office of Research and Grants (ORG), Dr. Ahmad Al Saber, for his valuable support during the previous academic year. She also extended a warm welcome to the newly appointed Director, Dr. Belal Gharaibeh, highlighting the significance of the Faculty Speaker Series as a platform for faculty to connect, exchange ideas, and inspire one another through research.
  
AUK President, Dr. Rawda Awwad, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of supporting and recognizing faculty research efforts. She shared a personal reflection on her own experience publishing her thesis, underscoring the challenges and rewards of the research process. Dr. Rawda commended Dr. Smadi for her continued leadership in fostering a culture of academic engagement and for creating opportunities that enable faculty members to present their work and collaborate on shared research goals.
  
Dr. Al Shamali’s presentation resonated with attendees, offering practical insight into how a strategic approach to research can lead to more meaningful outcomes. By applying theoretical frameworks across disciplines, researchers can produce studies that are more cohesive, impactful, and adaptable to various contexts. The session concluded with a lively Q&A discussion, allowing participants to exchange ideas on how to integrate framework-based strategies into their own research pursuits.
  
Through initiatives like the Faculty Speaker Series, AUK continues to promote research excellence, faculty development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These events reflect the university’s commitment to fostering a vibrant academic environment that encourages knowledge-sharing, innovation, and intellectual growth among its faculty and students.
 
 
 

Images from the event