Mohammad Mustafa

Dr.

Mohammad Salih

Mustafa is a senior lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy Department at Tishk International University in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and an Associate Fellow of the British Academy. He holds a PhD in Ethno-Political Studies from the University of Exeter and an MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. His research interests include Middle Eastern Politics, Religious Nationalism, Islamism, Kurdish Studies, Kurdistan Region, Muslim Brotherhood, Counter Terrorism, and Security Studies.

Dr. Mustafa has several publications to his credit, including 'Nationalism and Islamism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: the Emergence of the Kurdistan Islamic Union,' published by Routledge (2020); 'The Anti-Kurdish Thoughts of ISIS,' published in the Review of Middle East Studies (2023); The Ba’ath Party and the Genocide of Faily Kurds. In: Salih, K. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Kurdish Genocides.

Palgrave

Macmillan (2025); 'The Trajectory and Current State of Intra-Kurdish Politics in the Kurdistan Region, the Role and Influence of Iran and Turkey,' published in the Turkish Journal of Security Studies (2016); and 'Iran's Role in the Kurdistan Region,' published in Aljazeera Centre for Studies (2016).

Head of International Relations and Diplomacy Department at Tishk International University (2021-01 – 2025-12)

Serving as the Head of the International Relations and Diplomacy Department at Tishk International University in Erbil.

• Providing visionary leadership and strategic direction for the department.
• Developing and implementing policies to create an inclusive learning environment.
• Overseeing departmental resources and facilities to maximize their utilization and effectiveness.
• Leading the process of curriculum development and review keeping up with current trends in international relations and diplomacy.
• Supporting and guiding department members, fostering scholarly activities in the field.
• Collaborating with faculty to ensure high quality teaching, research and extracurricular activities.
• Encouraging research initiatives among department members.
• Establishing partnerships with departments and academic units to promote studies and exchange programs.
• Representing the department in university committees and meetings advocating for its interests.
• Cultivating strong relationships, with diplomatic missions, international organizations, foreign universities and think tanks.
• Facilitating student exchange and internships to enhance cultural experiences.
• Providing guidance to students regarding opportunities as well as career paths.
• Organizing workshops, conferences, symposiums, trainings and seminars related to international affairs featuring distinguished speakers.
• Engage, in partnerships with academic support services to improve student achievement and foster positive student relationships.
• Collaborate with university administrators to strategically plan and make decisions regarding initiatives, for internationalization and accreditation.

Lecturer in International Relations and Diplomacy Department at Tishk International University (2025-01 – Present)

Lecturer in Politics and International Relations (Part-time) at Soran University and Tishk International University (2019-01 – Present)

Teaching Arabic Language at thebigword Defence Division (2016-01 – 2018-12)

Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (PTA) in Politics and Economy of Contemporary Middle East at University of Exeter (2015-01 – 2016-12)

Teaching Arabic Language and Culture at Defence Centre for Languages and Culture, Defence Academy of the UK (2013-01 – 2015-12)

Teaching Arabic Language at University of Exeter (2012-01 – 2013-12)

PTA Islamist Movements: from the Muslim Brotherhood to al-Qa'eda at University of Exeter (2012-01 – 2013-12)

Lecturing Arabic Language at Middlesex University (2011-01 – 2012-12)

Teaching Arabic Evening Classes at Middlesex University (2011-01 – 2012-12)

PhD in Ethno-Political Studies – University of Exeter (2011-01 – 2017-12)

Certificate in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language – School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (2009-01 – 2010-12)

MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies – School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (2008-01 – 2009-12)

Certificate in Political Studies – School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (2007-01 – 2008-12)

BA in Library and Information Sciences – Al-Mustansiriya University (1989-01 – 1993-12)