Brandeis University to Host Spring Conference 2026 on Israeli Diaspora Identity

Brandeis University’s Schusterman Center for Israel Studies has announced its Spring Conference 2026, titled "Diversifying the Israeli Diaspora." The event serves as the capstone for the 2025-2026 Institute for Advanced Israel Studies (IAIS) fellowship, bringing together international scholars to present research on evolving Israeli identities. This conference underscores the importance of academic fellowships in generating specialized, research-driven content for the global events and conferences sector.

The "Diversifying the Israeli Diaspora" conference is scheduled to take place in Spring 2026 at Brandeis University, organized by the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies with support from the Azrieli Center for Israel Studies (MALI) at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. While advance registration for the event has already closed, the organizers have noted that walk-in registration may be available on-site depending on venue capacity. The gathering represents the final public output of the 2025-2026 Institute for Advanced Israel Studies (IAIS) fellowship, which brings together a global cohort of scholars to study specific themes in the field.

The conference program is designed to interrogate the dynamic and evolving experiences of Israeli identity as it exists outside of Israel, focusing on intersections with new migration trends and multilayered cultures. Research presented by the IAIS fellows will analyze how these identities intertwine with diverse Jewish, Israeli, and Palestinian diasporas. Furthermore, the sessions will explore the experiences of Israeli residents living abroad who do not hold Israeli citizenship, providing a comprehensive look at the complexities of modern diaspora life.

As the only program of its kind, the IAIS fellowship model demonstrates a unique approach to conference programming by convening international scholars to work collaboratively on a single theme throughout the year. This annual conference allows these fellows to share innovative research and fresh insights into complex geopolitical issues with the public. For the events and conferences industry, this highlights a successful model for creating high-level academic content that translates deep, year-long scholarly collaboration into an accessible public forum.