Dr. Basem Mahmud is a Syrian-Spanish sociologist specializing in emotions, forced migration, and post-conflict recovery, with deep expertise in Syria’s social and cultural contexts. Born and raised in Syria, his lived experience enriches his academic and applied research, providing nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by displaced populations. He holds a PhD in Sociology, supported by a DAAD fellowship, and was awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship for postdoctoral research on refugee labor and structural inequalities in the global economy. His work bridges academic research and practical field applications through partnerships with international organizations, civil society, and research institutes. He focuses on key issues such as transitional justice, civic engagement, community resilience, victim-centered documentation, and social reconstruction in Syria and similar post-conflict settings. Fluent in Arabic, English, and Spanish, Dr. Basem Mahmud combines advanced qualitative and mixed-methods research skills with deep contextual knowledge. He is committed to collaborating on evidence-based projects that foster social transformation and sustainable recovery. Clients can expect strategic research insights, expert project leadership, and a thorough understanding of Syria’s complex realities, helping to design effective, impactful interventions.
Torture, Child Protection/Child Abuse, Ethnic Discrimination Or Persecution, Government/State Actor Persecution, Political Persecution, Reintegration, Risk of Return, Healthcare Access/Health Systems Capacity, Prison Conditions, Corruption & Impunity, Gang-Related Violence/Non-State Actors, Forced Conscription, Risk Of Retaliation, Sufficiency Of Protection, Gender-Based Violence/Domestic Violence /GBV, Journalist Persecution, Statelessness & Lack of Nationality Documentation
Basem Mahmud holds a PhD in Sociology earned through rigorous research supported by a DAAD fellowship. His doctoral research laid the foundation for his expertise in forced migration, emotions, and post-conflict recovery. Among his significant academic achievements is his published book with Routledge titled "Emotions and Belonging in Forced Migration: Syrian Refugees and Asylum Seekers," which is considered an important contribution to the sociology of forced migration and the sense of belonging, particularly in the Syrian context.
Basem Mahmud was also awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018), during which he conducted postdoctoral research on the project "Refugees in the Global Economy: Situation, Role, and Implications." This fellowship is one of the leading international programs supporting outstanding researchers to develop innovative and impactful studies.
Over more than 11 years dedicated to the Syrian refugee issues, Basem Mahmud has published more than ten peer-reviewed journal articles and presented at over twenty specialized international conferences on forced migration.
Throughout his career, Basem Mahmud has conducted extensive field research with Syrian refugees in various countries, in addition to internally displaced persons within Syria. His research has provided important insights into their lived experiences, challenges, and resilience, contributing to improved and informed policies and interventions.
Book: Emotions and Belonging in Forced Migration: Syrian Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Routledge, 2021. [English]
The Hell of the Subcontract: Syrian Refugees in Istanbul’s Clothing Industry. Genealogy, 9(2), 55, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy9020055.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers’ Emotions in Migration Studies. Revista Internacional de Estudios Migratorios (RIEM), 11(1), 2021. [English]
Forced migrant’s sense of place: the case of syrian refugee-workers in Istanbul, Turkey. In Work and Migration: Case Studies from Around the World. Transnational Press London, 2021.
Buried in silence: Mechanism of homicide and disappearance at Tishreen Military Hospital 2015-2020. The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), October 2023.
The structure of Sednaya prison in Syria and its organizational and administrative relations. The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), September 2022.
They Took Everything: Confiscation of detainees’ assets and funds in Syria, The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), March 2022.
No one will speak on our behalf anymore: The experience of the Syrian victims’ groups, Impunity Watch (IW), September 2022.
Survey: Forcibly Disappeared in Syrian Detention Centers: Research about the Details of the Process of Forced Disappearance and the Fate of the Victims, The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP). December 2020.
Survey: Detention in Sednaya: Report on the Procedures and Consequences of Political Imprisonment. The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP). October 2019.
Survey: Opinions and Attitudes on Federalism, Decentralization, and the experience of the Democratic Self-Administration. The Day After Association (TDA). April 2016. (In Arabic translated into English).
Survey: Sectarianism in Syria. The Day After Association (TDA). February 2016. (In Arabic translated into English)
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