Syracuse Sun

Lamis Abdelaaty, an associate professor of political science and director of undergraduate studies, has been awarded the 2024 Montonna Fund. The Ralph E. Montonna Endowed Fund for the Teaching and Education of Undergraduates is presented by the Maxwell School to a professor who demonstrates significant engagement in undergraduate education. Abdelaaty will be the recipient for the 2024-25 academic year, following Maria Zhu, an assistant professor of economics.

“Professor Abdelaaty is a wonderful teacher and mentor, both in and outside the classroom,” stated Carol Faulkner, senior associate dean for academic affairs. “She is deeply invested in the success of our students, and I’m thrilled to see her receive this recognition.”

Abdelaaty's expertise lies in international refugee politics. She has taught various upper-level courses such as Humanitarian Action in World Politics, Human Rights and Global Affairs, and Refugees in International Politics. Additionally, she serves as a senior research associate at both the Campbell Public Affairs Institute and the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration.

In 2023, Abdelaaty was named a residential fellow for Migration Politics journal and spent time as a fellow-in-residence at the University of Amsterdam. That same year, she secured a $70,000 grant from the Gerda Henkel Foundation to support her second book titled “Refugees in Crisis.” This work aims to explore what defines a refugee crisis and how international responses are shaped by various factors. Her research received additional support from Syracuse University's Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE).

Previously, in 2020, she was honored with Syracuse University's Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award for Early Career Performance. Her first book "Discrimination and Delegation: Explaining State Responses to Refugees" (Oxford University Press, 2021) earned multiple accolades including Distinguished Book Award from ENMISA section of International Studies Association Ethnicity Nationalism & Migration Studies (ENMISA) section as well as Best Book Award from American Political Science Association Migration & Citizenship section.