Motasem Abuzaid is a DPhil student in Politics focusing on the intersection of urbanization, political violence, and revolutionary mobilization. Motasem also serves as a departmental Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) for multiple papers and courses, including, International Security and Conflict, Politics of the Middle East, Qualitative Methods, and Quantitative Methods (at AMES).
Here, he reflects on his academic experiences, the role DPIR plays in this journey so far, and advice to future students…
Motasem, what inspired you to pursue your DPhil at DPIR?
My academic background is rooted in Sociology and Arab Studies, having completed my previous training at Marmara University and Georgetown University. Initially, my research focused on themes within these disciplines, but as I delved deeper into the intersection of political economy and political violence in the Middle East, I increasingly engaged with Political Science literature.
This shift led me to seek an academic environment that would allow for a structured transition into Political Science while still preserving a strong foundation in regional sociology and comparative approaches. DPIR at Oxford provided precisely that space. The department’s interdisciplinary ethos, in addition to the faculty and research networks played a key role in my decision. Working under the supervision of Dr. Stathis Kalyvas, an authority on political violence, provided the intellectual guidance needed to bridge my sociological background with Political Science. Beyond that, the vibrant academic community at Oxford, particularly those working on political violence, revolutions, and Middle Eastern politics, offered a stimulating environment for expanding my research.
Can you share with us some of the most meaningful experiences of studying at DPIR?
What stands out most about being at DPIR and Oxford is the ability to engage directly with most scholars whose work has shaped my research. At many institutions, these figures remain distant—people whose books and papers you read in a seminar. At Oxford, there’s an actual chance you’ll interact with them directly over coffee chats, receptions, or dinners, turning abstract academic influences into real conversations and intellectual exchanges. Some of the best insights I’ve gained were from off-the-record discussions at Branca Café in Jericho. In those moments, the hierarchical distance between student and scholar fades, making space for collaborative exploration of ideas. DPIR in this sense is not confined to Manor Road Building, but extends into intellectual venues at other colleges such as Nuffield, St Antony’s, All Souls, among others.
While social science provides valuable tools for understanding political violence and mobilization, it is not enough to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and unfolding political realities. As a researcher, I’ve come to realize that it’s not just about producing knowledge but about being aware of the limitations of that knowledge and actively working to translate it into something meaningful and applicable.
This awareness has been shaped by my own background—being a Palestinian who grew up in Syria and across the region, where political turmoil is not an abstract concept but a lived reality. At Oxford, I’ve encountered a wide range of perspectives, some of which challenge dominant narratives in political science. These experiences have forced me to ask:
- How do we make research more relevant to the communities affected by the phenomena we study?
- How do we navigate the tension between scholarly practice and the urgency of real-world crises?
Oxford has provided an intellectual space to grapple with these questions, but it has also reinforced the idea that bridging the gap between theory and reality is an active choice that researchers must make.
How has being part of DPIR influenced your academic and professional development so far?
Several aspects of my experience at DPIR have been particularly beneficial for my growth as a scholar:
- Gradual Exposure to Scholars in the Field: One of the most formative experiences has been the ability to engage directly with established scholars and have candid conversations about research framing and the current state of the discipline. These exchanges go beyond structured lectures or office hours—often happening informally at seminars, receptions, or over coffee. This has helped me develop a clearer understanding of where my work fits within ongoing academic debates.
- Shaping Research Trajectories: The intellectual foundation for most of my research was not solely a product of what I learned at Oxford, but DPIR has been instrumental in shaping me as an emerging scholar. Being part of this academic environment has equipped me with a vivid understanding of the key conversations my research needs to engage with—both in terms of its theoretical contribution and its relevance to real-world issues.
- Specialized Workshops & Research Development: One of the most impactful experiences was my role in coordinating the T.E. Lawrence Speaker Series on Political Violence at All Souls College. While I have my reservations about the legacy of Lawrence of Arabia in the region, the series itself was invaluable. It provided weekly exposure to works-in-progress by both junior and senior scholars, allowing me to engage in extended discussions about their methodologies, theoretical debates, and career trajectories. These sessions were especially useful in refining my own approach to comparative political violence and urban insurgencies.
- Teaching as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): Teaching at both undergraduate (tutorials) and postgraduate (lab sessions) levels has been another transformative experience. Engaging with students has helped me refine my ability to explain complex ideas, structure arguments, and think about research from multiple perspectives:
- Undergraduate tutorials forced me to connect the dots across different theoretical traditions.
- Postgraduate lab sessions, particularly in Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, provided insight into how students and researchers engage with methodology and, in turn, helped me think more critically about how I apply methods in my own research.
What are some key lessons from your time at Oxford and DPIR?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned at DPIR is that we don’t know what we don’t know. Early on, it’s easy to get caught up in niche research puzzles, but I’ve realized there’s always an audience for our work—if framed the right way. Moving beyond micro-level debates and positioning research within broader social and political transformations is what makes it truly impactful.
For me, this shift came when I began viewing the aftermath of revolutions not just as theoretical problems, but as pressing reality. Good research sparks critical conversations, and DPIR provides a space where informed knowledge is constantly produced. With that comes a responsibility—our work isn’t just about solving immediate puzzles but shaping future debates and contributing meaningfully to intellectual or policy discussions. This awareness has reshaped how I think about scholarly networks and their long-term role.
Another key realization is that scholarly networks are invaluable, yet often taken for granted. DPIR, and Oxford more broadly, bring together a rare mix of interdisciplinary scholars working on political violence. As I move toward the later stages of my DPhil, I recognize how hard it will be to find a similar environment elsewhere. That’s why I’m already thinking about how to sustain these connections, ensuring that the conversations, collaborations, and mentorship networks I’ve built remain active beyond Oxford.
What are your plans for the next phase of your DPhil and beyond?
I am currently preparing to enter the academic job market by the end of this academic year, with the goal of applying for postdoctoral positions. Alongside completing my DPhil dissertation, I am working on a broader research agenda on revolutions and civil wars, which I believe would benefit from further development and an extended comparative analysis.
The professional development workshops at DPIR have been valuable in preparing for the next stage. After several years working in the development sector, I find considerable value in my current academic work and hope to continue in research and teaching. Beyond academia, I see my research as having direct implications for political transitions in Syria, particularly in a post-Assad context, as well as for broader political transformations in the Global South.
What’s your message to prospective DPIR students?
Pursuing a DPhil at DPIR comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, and being strategic early on can make a significant difference.
- Manage Time Effectively: Unlike longer PhD programs in the US, the 3-4 year structure in the UK requires careful planning. Be prepared to design your research efficiently and think through your broader research agenda early on, especially if you aim to stay in academia.
- Engage with Feedback Early: Don’t hesitate to present early drafts of your work at available venues. Engaging with feedback early in the process will help you refine your arguments and save time in shaping your research direction.
- Minimize Distractions & Secure Funding: Good research requires focus. If possible, plan ahead to reduce external commitments and secure additional funding sources to ease the workload. While I was fortunate to have a DPIR Studentship, extending into a fourth year required additional financial considerations—which has become almost standard for DPhil candidates.
- Navigate Oxford’s Decentralized Structure: DPIR is just one part of Oxford’s broader intellectual ecosystem. Take time to explore different events, seminars, and societies to find your academic “home.” Given the sheer number of opportunities, it’s okay to become more selective over time and accept that you can’t attend everything.