04 June 2026
Meet The Fellows - Young Media Researchers Program - 2026
Maharat Foundation, in partnership with the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC), is proud to introduce the first cohort of the Young Media Researchers Program in Lebanon, implemented as part of the project “Media Reform to Enhance Freedom of Expression in Lebanon” supported by the European Union.
The fellowship builds on MJRC’s experience supporting emerging researchers and aims to strengthen academic engagement in media reform debates while encouraging decentralized participation from universities across Lebanon.
The fellowship includes an intensive program combining research training, mentorship, and publication support. Through their work, they will explore critical issues at the intersection of media, technology, governance, artificial intelligence, information integrity, and freedom of expression. It provides a unique opportunity for young researchers to develop their analytical and research skills, engage with leading regional and international experts, and contribute evidence-based insights to ongoing discussions on media reform and information governance in Lebanon.
Representing diverse academic backgrounds and regions across the country, this first cohort reflects the program’s commitment to fostering a new generation of researchers capable of connecting academic knowledge with public policy and societal impact.
Meet the five fellows who will be shaping this journey and contributing to the future of media and technology research in Lebanon:
Jad Gui Shartouni is a communication specialist and graphic designer with experience managing multiple creative projects. He specializes in oral, written, and visual communication.He is currently a Graphic Design Specialist at Siren Associates and a freelance motion designer with The Speech. He has experience coordinating workflows and ensuring consistency in visual identity and messaging across projects, working with organizations such as Surv Linguistics, Aljadeed TV,and Crea-Nova. He holds a BA in Graphic Arts and is currently pursuing a master's in Communications, focusing on the evolution of nonverbal communication among Lebanese adolescents following the 2024 war. He is also preparing for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification.
Sarah Abou Fares is a Master’s student in Communication at the Lebanese University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the Lebanese International University (LIU). She has experience working as a social media manager and currently works at a blind rehabilitation center, where she contributes to communication and inclusion efforts for visually impaired individuals. Her academic and professional interests focus on psychology, media, and social research, with a particular interest in socially impactful and inclusive communication. Through her studies and work experience, Sarah aims to deepen her research skills and contribute to more meaningful and accessible communication practices. She is currently a participant in the Young Researchers Program.
Cedric Keyrouz is a multilingual International Relations graduate currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Affairs at the Lebanese American University. His academic interests include diplomacy, public policy, political research, media and technology, and international affairs. He has gained experience in diplomatic protocol, research, project coordination, and intercultural communication through academic and professional engagements in Lebanon and Germany. Cedric is particularly interested in the relationship between politics, technology, and society, including how information, data, and media shape public understanding and decision-making.
Sarah Yassine is a master’s candidate in Computational Linguistics at the Lebanese University, currently working on her thesis with a focus on the Arabic language. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science from the Lebanese University and has a strong technical background in Python, machine learning, and data analysis. Over the past three years, she has been involved in the field of artificial intelligence, with a growing research focus on natural language processing, Arabic language technologies, and human-AI interaction. Her work aims to bridge computational methods and linguistic analysis to support more inclusive and effective AI applications for Arabic.
Moustafa Awwad is a Political Science Master’s student at the Lebanese University and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Al Jinan University, officially accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Education. Originally from North Lebanon, he also serves as an officer in the Internal Security Forces. He is passionate about political studies, public affairs, and youth engagement, and is committed to academic development and contributing to meaningful social and political initiatives.
