Sendus Majanni

Sendus Majanni is a Research Assistant at the Middle East Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Originally from Aleppo, Syria, she joined Harvard after ten years in Lebanon as a refugee. Her research focuses on Syrian prison literature and religious extremism in the Middle East.

Sendus is currently pursuing a Master of Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School, where she concentrates on Religion, Ethics, and Politics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature from the American University of Beirut (AUB). Her research explores the impact of state oppression and mass incarceration on ideological movements in the Middle East. She also investigates the complex interplay between transitional justice, religion, and sectarian identity, emphasizing the role of literature, culture, and oral and historical narratives. In her previous roles, she conducted research on Islam and conflict resolution in Syria, contributing to projects analyzing the influence of religion on peacebuilding efforts. 

Sendus has worked extensively with organizations such as ANERA and Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) on relief and empowerment initiatives for refugees and communities affected by conflict. She has also led multiple initiatives on university campuses in Lebanon, creating pathways for lifelong learning, addressing language barriers in education, and creating accessible opportunities for students from diverse socio-political backgrounds.