Martin Hvidt

I am Associate Professor, Ph.D./ MSc (Geography) / MBA at the Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies at the University of Southern Denmark.

I have currently four broad areas of research interests:

1) Gulf rising. Developmental patterns in the resource rich economies of the Arab Gulf Region: This research focuses on the broader development process currently undertaken in the Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. More specific this research project strives to document and analyze variations in developmental strategies, patterns and outcomes for the six GCC countries. This is done in order to explain why such divergence emerges over time. This project has obtained funding from the Danish Social Science Research Council for the period August 2010 to July 2012 and includes field work in each of the six Gulf states.

2) Dubai: A Middle Eastern Developmental State: This research aim to analyze the developmental process of Dubai in order to specify the key elements of the 'Dubai model' of development. The project looks closely at the political and organizational set-up in Dubai and furthermore the interrelationship between the state and the private sector as it unfolds in society. The theoretical ambition of this project is to contribute to the theoretical debate of the 'developmental state.' This project has obtained funding from the Danish Social Science Research Council August 2006 to December 2007.The funding includes a 4 month stay in Dubai.

3) The Middle East and North Africa Region in a Globalized World: The research focus on political and economic aspects in the MENA region which either act as barriers against further globalization or stimulates globalization. This research furthermore has an explicit focus on magnitudes and impacts of foreign direct investments (FDI) in the region.

4) Irrigation management: Social, technical and institutional issues related to the transformation of large scale irrigation systems toward greater efficiency through active participation of the farmers in allocation and distribution of irrigation water. Furthermore Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) issues are included.