Annual Conference: Asia Update. Transformations and Futures of the Middle East

Skyscrapers and urban architecture in Dubai downtown
  • 23.–24.04.2026
  • Ülikooli 18-140, Tartu
Research event Conference

This interdisciplinary conference is part of the University of Tartu Asia Centre’s annual ASIA UPDATE series dedicated to exploring different regions of Asia. Each year the conference focuses on a specific region, and in 2026 the spotlight turns to the Middle East (West Asia) as a region undergoing profound transformation.

23-24 April 2026

Ülikooli 18, lecture hall 140, University of Tartu main building

Registration is open on the conference page until 18 April, 2026.

Conference page

The conference page also includes information about the conference program, panels and abstracts.

  • 23.–24.04.2026
  • Ülikooli 18-140, Tartu
Research event Conference
Programme Committee
Helen Haas
PhD (Religious Studies)
School of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Tartu Asia Centre
Middle East Coordinator, 0.3 p
Ülikooli 18–308
Elo Süld
PhD (Theology)
School of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Tartu Asia Centre
Head of Centre
Ülikooli 18–308
School of Theology and Religious Studies
Chair of Comparative Religious Studies
Associate Professor of Islamic Studies
Ülikooli 18–308
Press contact
Evelyn Pihla
MA (Information and Knowledge Management)
School of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Tartu Asia Centre
Head of Communication and Administration, 0.6 p
Ülikooli 20–315
Faculty of Social Sciences
Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
Marketing and Communication Specialist, 0.4 p
Lossi 36–301
+372 737 5154
+372 737 6380
+372 5615 8017