Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council launches the Qatar Social Sciences RDI Community, a flagship initiative that brings together researchers, innovators, and policymakers working in the social sciences and humanities.

As part of QRDI Council's National RDI Communities programme, this community aims to foster collaboration, bridge sectors, and generate evidence-based solutions to Qatar's most pressing societal challenges.

Launched as a pre-event to WISE 12, the community also sets the stage for deeper conversations on the role of research, innovation, and development in shaping the future of education and society.

The Qatar Social Sciences RDI Community was launched at a dedicated event that brought together more than 350 attendees, including high-level government officials, academic leaders, industry experts, and representatives of civil society. The opening remarks were delivered by Secretary General of the QRDI Council, Eng Omar Ali Al Ansari.

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The programme also featured welcoming remarks with Minister of Education H E Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater who emphasised the need for social sciences to play a more prominent role in shaping policies and national development strategies.

The launch event included a keynote address, interactive roundtables, and a panel discussion exploring how research, innovation, and policy can align to drive social progress.

Senior representatives from the QRDI Council, academia, and government engaged in dialogue on advancing equitable education, mental well-being, inclusive governance, and social cohesion through interdisciplinary collaboration. This community is anchored in the Third National Development Strategy, which identifies the social sciences as a foundational pillar of Qatar's innovation ecosystem. By bridging gaps between research, policy, and innovation, the community will serve as a trusted space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of evidence-informed solutions.

Secretary General at QRDI Council Eng Omar Ali Al-Ansari highlighted,“Qatar's progress, prosperity, and ability to face the future depend on our understanding of people, our understanding of society, and our ability to translate that understanding into action and impact. This community is built on a central and simple idea: Innovation must serve people, and that society guides and determines the course of innovation.

"Through this community, we are empowering researchers, government entities and industry partners to come together, share perspectives, and shape solutions that contribute to a more inclusive, knowledge and innovation-based economy.”

The key objectives of the Qatar Social Sciences RDI Community are to connect diverse stakeholders to build a shared understanding of Qatar's most pressing social issues, generate evidence-informed recommendations that can influence policymaking, elevate the role of social sciences within the national development agenda, and translate academic research into real-world impact through practical applications and cross-sector collaboration.

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