Professor Karène Sanchez-Summerer, chair of Middle Eastern studies at the Faculty of Arts, and a historian of the Modern Middle East, showcases an example of best open science practices through her exemplary work. Last year, she curated an exhibition titled “‘A Dutch Lawrence of Arabia?’ Jacob Israël de Haan - A man of contradictions and controversies”, an activity funded by the Public Engagement Seed Fund. She also  makes her research available to the public through various Open Access monographs. In this interview, we delve into Professor Sanchez-Summerer's experiences and the motivations behind her open science initiatives.

Congratulations on your successful public engagement project “A Dutch Lawrence of Arabia? Netherlands, Arabs, Jews, and the ‘Holy Land’”. Could you reflect on the challenges and successes of your project? 

Thank you! One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the historical complexity of Dutch involvement in the Middle East, and in particular the figure of Jacob Israël de Haan and his environment in the Netherlands and in Palestine at the beginning of the 1920s, was communicated in a way that was both accessible and engaging to a wider audience. We were dealing with sensitive topics—imperial and colonial contexts and legacies, religious identities, and modern political resonances—which required careful framing (I’m thinking about multifaceted notions like Arab Palestinian nationalism, Zionism, Pan-Arabism, Ottomanism for example). 

However, the success of the project came from exactly that: creating space for various sources (archives), various points of view and fostering dialogue about historical narratives and their relevance today. The enthusiastic response from both academic and non-academic audiences showed that there’s a real appetite for these conversations when approached thoughtfully. 

The project centered on the Palestine years (1919-1924) of Jacob Israël de Haan (Smilde, 1881- Jerusalem, 1924), a multifaceted figure whose life intersected with various cultural, political, and religious spheres. One of the main challenges was presenting his complex narrative—encompassing his roles as a poet, journalist, and political activist. Integrating visual materials from Dutch contemporaries like Frank Scholten (Dutch amateur photographer who stayed in Palestine for a bit more than 2 years, and took more than 20.000 photos) allowed us to create a kind of immersive exhibition that resonated with many of the visitors. In the other activities proposed, we presented video archives to the audiences and discussed the importance of the first animated archives and historical photographs about the so-called Holy Land. 

It was also fruitful to organize events where historians, journalists and cultural heritage actors met and discussed with wider audiences in different settings in the city of Groningen. 

Why is engaging the public important for your work? 

Engaging the public is vital because the histories we study are often directly linked to current global debates and media narratives. The themes we explore— colonialism, religion, nationalism, migrations—are deeply relevant to current public debates, yet often misunderstood or oversimplified in media and political discourse. By engaging the public, we help foster a deeper understanding of these critical issues. Public engagement allows us to offer historical depth and challenge simplistic representations. It also invites a more diverse audience into scholarly conversations, enriching the research itself through diverse and broader perspectives and rethinking our academic research from a reception point of view. 

Several visitors to the exhibition shared their own reflections, some connecting the themes of identity, displacement, and cultural memory to their personal or familial histories. This kind of exchange reinforces why public engagement matters: it invites the public not only to listen and read but to respond, to question the narratives we present. 

Ultimately, engaging the public enriches our scholarship. It pushes us to think more carefully about clarity, ethics, and relevance. It also ensures that the knowledge we produce contributes to a wider societal good, affirming the role of the university not just as a place of knowledge production, but also of public service. 

How did you experience the process of setting up, carrying out, and presenting your public engagement project? What support did you receive from the UG? 

The University of Groningen provided substantial support through its Public Engagement Seed Fund. Beyond funding, the university also supported the project through networking opportunities,  visibility, and audience engagement. Setting up the exhibition and the other activities involved interdisciplinary collaboration, logistical planning, and community outreach. The process was both challenging and rewarding, as we also engaged with some of the visitors in meaningful discussions about history and its contemporary implications. 

It required stepping outside of the traditional academic workflow and embracing a broader range of collaborative and creative methods with designers, curators, and educators, bringing a different expertise that enriched the final outcomes. From initial planning to the final exhibition, the project relied on building strong relationships with cultural partners. This was essential not only for securing materials but also for shaping the narrative in a way that would resonate with diverse audiences. 

Presenting the project, whether in the exhibition space or through public talks and articles, was especially gratifying, and to see that events initiated in Groningen linked us with institutions and individuals in Amsterdam who organised events after our initial plans in Groningen. It allowed me to see how historical research can spark reflection, curiosity, and dialogue among people who may not normally interact with academic work. 

You have published various open access books, for example with Amsterdam University Press and University of Groningen Press. Why is publishing open access important to you? 

Open access publishing aligns with my commitment to making research accessible to all, regardless of institutional affiliation or geographic location. It facilitates the dissemination of knowledge, encourages academic collaboration, and ensures that research can inform public discourse. As researchers, we often talk about the importance of impact, but true impact is only possible when our work is accessible to all, regardless of their institutional affiliation or financial means. Open access allows works to circulate freely and reach a global audience, including scholars and students in regions where library budgets are limited or access to subscription-based journals is restricted. For instance, books like Colonial Vocabularies and Revisiting Palestine Illustrated are freely available through platforms like Amsterdam University Press and University of Groningen Press. 

The Creative Commons engages audiences beyond the traditional readers, broadening and diversifying the audiences who get access to the book, anyone can access it. We were contacted by various types of readers, in Europe and from the Middle East – we even received a message with photos of the person at the heart of the manuscript of another book I co-edited, available in OA https://brill.com/edcollbook-oa/title/62287 . Lately, I was contacted by a writer in Canada, who read some of the De Haan reports we translated to English and accessible online, to get more information on his years in Palestine for a novel  she is writing. 

I’m grateful that the University of Groningen actively promotes open science. For any researcher committed to societal relevance, equity, and accessibility, OA is not just a technical choice—it’s a moral and intellectual one. I must add: the process of applying for the OA book subsidy is very easy and definitely worth it! 

You have been researching the history of the Modern Middle East for some time now. Have current events had an impact on your public engagement activities in this field? If so, in what way? 

Absolutely. Current events have shaped the public’s interest in and response to historical content and indeed underscored the importance of historical context in understanding contemporary issues in the Middle East. They have heightened public interest in the region's history, making public engagement activities more pertinent. These events have also necessitated a sensitive approach to presenting historical narratives, ensuring that they contribute constructively to promote informed understanding. 

For example, the legacy of Jacob Israël de Haan, a Dutch-Jewish figure who was assassinated in Jerusalem for his anti-Zionist activism, resonates differently depending on current debates around Israel and Palestine, which means public engagement must allow space for dialogue and reflection. 

At the same time, I think that historical context is more essential than ever. In an era of social media debates (I am not active myself on social media - intentionally), some people are curious for a deeper understanding of how the present came to be. Public engagement projects offer an opportunity to slow down, ask questions, and situate current events within longer trajectories—such as colonial legacies, migration, and religious pluralism for example. While public engagement in this context can be challenging, it’s also incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms that historical research has a vital role to play in shaping more informed public discourse. 

Finally, could you tell us more about your view on the value of open science in general, and the recommendations to fellow researchers who are interested in making their research more open or to engage more actively with the public? 

Open science fosters transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration in research, it allows for a more equitable academic landscape. I can only encourage fellow researchers to consider open access publishing and to actively seek opportunities for public engagement. Embracing open science practices not only benefits the academic community but also society at large. 

Open science can challenge disciplinary silos and prompt interdisciplinary dialogue. For example, in my own work on visual culture and historical memory, openness has allowed for unexpected collaborations with artists and curators who brought new insights and energy to the research process.

To colleagues interested in taking steps toward more public engagement, I’d say: think about it and start before you apply and ask yourself who else might benefit from your work, and who might help you think differently about it. Consider partnerships—with museums, schools, community organizations—and be open to rethinking how you communicate. 

Also, make use of institutional resources. The University of Groningen offers funding, even if limited, which can make the difference for humble projects. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, there’s a wealth of experience and support to draw on.