Celine Merheb

Dr. Celine Merheb is Associate Dean for Development and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations at ULS. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from Lyon 2 Lumière University and a Master’s in International Relations from Paris I – Sorbonne. In 2025, she was selected by the US Embassy in Lebanon for the SUSI for Scholars Program on U.S. Politics and Political Thought at UMass Amherst, further enriching her international perspective and academic outreach. Her academic and research interests include governance, crisis management, post-conflict recovery, and political participation. She has taught at several Lebanese universities and international institutions and has been actively involved in curriculum development, accreditation, and student mentorship.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations (2013), Lumière University Lyon 2 (France) _ Dissertation: “Reinventing Lebanon: From a Buffer State to a Sovereign State”
• Master’s in International Relations (2007), Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne University (France) _ Thesis: “The Cedar Revolution (2005): Internal and International Perceptions of Lebanese Citizens”

Teaching interests

• Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management
• Research Methodology
• Governance and Political Sociology

Research interests

• Governance in post-conflict and fragile states
• Political participation and democratic resilience in Lebanon
• Crisis management and local government capacity
• Experiential learning and education for civic engagement

Publications

For articles:

• Assessing post-war recovery and local governance: The role of Lebanese municipalities after the 2024 Israeli aggression. Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE). Research Paper. (June 2025)
• Relational health in family bonds: Key responses to prevent marital breakup and the deterioration of family unity. Co-author: Father Dr. Youssef Abi Zeid. REDIFAM and REDIUF Conference, Mexico, 2024.
• Concept in excavations (society civil). Co-authors: Prof. Mirna Mzaouak, Dr. Marise Ghanem. Wameedalfikr, Vol 24, March 2024.
• Information and communication technology for meeting sustainable development goals. Co-authors: Prof. Mirna Mzaouak, Dr. Marise Ghanem. Wameedalfikr, Vol 21, 2024.
• Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development for Meeting Selected SDGs, Co-authors: Prof. Mirna Mzaouak, Dr. Marise Ghanem. Wameedalfikr, Vol 24, 2024.
• Experiential learning and cultural heritage. MuseoLab and Tandem Amwaj. Research report (Monitoring and Evaluation), 2024.
• Family strategy for a Better Contribution in the Society. Co-author: Dr. Father Youssef Abi Zeid. REDIUF Conference, Rome, Italy, 2024/

For books:

• Barometer of pluralism. Pharos Laboratory & Adyan Foundation, France-Mali-Lebanon (USEK). Senior researcher and supervisor (2022–2024).

For chapters in books:

• Could partition be the way to end Syrian war? In Post Conflict Power Sharing Agreements. Co-author: Dr. Barroso (USEK). In: Imad Salamey, Mouhamad Abou Nimer, Elie Abou Aoun (Eds.), Options for Syria Palgrave Macmillan. (2018)
  https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-60104-5

• Géopolitique des Chrétiens du Moyen-Orient. Revue Orient Stratégique, Vol.5. (2017)
  https://www.decitre.fr/revues/orients-strategiques-n-5-2017-le-sort-des-minorites-au-moyen-orient-9782343126739.html?srsltid=AfmBOopHr9VdJRKs0aFID5McupTgse5M5-3KwIYUThafA8lnMGRzItWh

Working Papers / Blogs

• Preserving cultural heritage through artisanal and craftsmanship practices and partnership in the Euro-Mediterranean region. CADMOS-Anna Lindh Foundation. Policy Paper.(May 2024)

Community Services

• Trainer and Consultant: Provides training for public officials, NGOs, and students on crisis response strategies, risk communication, and resilience planning, and women empowerment within the framework of governance and public policy.
• Youth Trainer for NGOs (2016–Present): Conducts training sessions focused on civic engagement, inclusivity, and leadership for youth and individuals with disabilities.
• Lead Coordinator – Crisis Management Simulations (2023–Present): Organized and led multi-agency simulations involving municipalities, the Lebanese Armed Forces, Civil Defense, and the Lebanese Red Cross. These simulations focused on earthquake preparedness and emergency response, held in regions including Hrajel and Jounieh, with the goal of enhancing local governance and inter-agency coordination.