Brown's Center for Middle East Studies invites proposals for small reading groups focused on a relevant theme or topic to explore areas of common interest in a low stress atmosphere of informal intellectual interaction. These themes of exploration and intellectual interaction are reflected in the name of this initiative, Shahbandar, a Persian title meaning "harbor master" or "port master" that is also the name of a famous cafe and intellectual hub on Baghdad's al-Mutanabbi Street. 

Proposals for the Fall 2026 semester are due by September 30, 2026. Learn more about the requirements and submit a proposal here.