French
USJ Organizes Lebanon’s First Residential Research Seminar
The residential research seminar was led by Prof. Patricia Rached, HDR, Dean of FSEDU, and coordinated by Dr. Mirna Hage, Assistant Professor.
Three days to write, publish, and advance research! From October 16 to 18, 2026, the Faculty of Education (FSEDU) at Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) brought together 61 researchers, PhD candidates, and instructors in Bzommar for an innovative three-day residential seminar dedicated to academic publishing.
An Innovative Approach to Research: Beyond the University Setting
Designed as a research retreat, the seminar moved beyond traditional training formats to provide a forum for reflection and exchange among researchers and experts. Over three days in the peaceful mountain setting of Bzommar participants enjoyed an atmosphere of collaboration and creative thinking. With dedicated time to deepen their research, test and refine ideas, and advance their publication projects, they also benefited from personalized academic guidance and the collective expertise of their peers.
From Research to Publication: Tailored Academic Support
Under Prof. Rached’s leadership, a team of experts covered the fundamentals of academic writing and publishing, with a particular focus on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in research to ensure that scholarly work remains innovative, rigorous, and responsible.
The team included Profs. Sonia Constantin, Yvette Gharib, Nehmé Safa, and Bassem Kandil, as well as Drs. Mirna Hage and Georges Elias.
A Research Community Learning and Writing Together
Throughout the retreat, participants devoted uninterrupted time to their research, free from everyday distractions. They worked on manuscripts, consulted experts, addressed research challenges, and advanced their publication projects. Feedback from experts and peers encouraged critical reflection, offered new perspectives, and helped strengthen their research skills. Conducted in French, Arabic, and English, the seminar also enriched discussions, facilitated the exchange of experiences, and created opportunities for future collaboration.
Strengthening Research Visibility Through Academic Publishing
This initiative reflects USJ’s commitment to supporting researchers in publishing their work, strengthening a culture of academic publishing, and increasing the visibility of research conducted at FSEDU.
Beyond its immediate objectives, the seminar offered a new approach to supporting researchers, combining dedicated writing time, peer collaboration, and expert guidance to help them prepare their work for publication.