Education:
PhD (April 2011), University of St Andrews, UK. Title of thesis: “Opportunity, Ethnic Identity and Resources in Ethnic Mobilisation: The Cases of the Kurds in Iraq and the Abkhaz in Georgia.” Master of Political Science (Mar. 2003), Cairo University. Grade: Excellent.

Master thesis topic: “State Policy towards Ethnic Groups: A comparative study of the Russian policy towards Chechnya and Tatarstan (1991-2000).”

Research Interest:
His research interests include Ethnic Conflict, Identity Politics, and Minorities; especially Muslim Minorities in the former USSR.

He wrote papers on minorities such as Kurds, Chechen, Abkhaz, and Tatar, and about topics such as political Islam, social movements, violence and social media platforms, and transitional justice.

Recent Publications:
- Ahmed Abdel Hafez , “Rumours and Psychological Warfare from the Ancient Ages to Social Networking Sites,” Sacred Violence and Social Media Platforms (Dubai: Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre, March 2015), pp. 9-44.

- Ahmed Abdel Hafez , “Sufism and Salafism in Russia,” in Islam in Russia: History, Horizons, and Concerns (Dubai: Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre, December 2013), pp. 59-86.

- Ahmed Abdel Hafez , “The Big Winner: The Kurdish Challenge to the Regional Structure after the Arab Spring,” Al-Siyassa Al-Dawliya 193 (July 2013).

- Ahmed Abdel Hafez , “The Islamic Movement in Tatarstan and Abkhazia,” in Al Mesbar Monthly Book, Vol. 62, February 2012 (Dubai: Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre), pp. 215-241.