Elhum Haghighat, Ph.D.​ 

​Selected Peer Reviewed Publications

​​Content of the book
Part I  Introduction and Fundamental

  • 1. Development, Piety, Elements of Democracy and the MENA Region

Part II  Global and MENA Demographic Transitions

  • 2. Demographic Transitions in the MENA and the World

Part III  Contemporary Dynamics and Dimensions in the MENA

  • 3. The Impact of Population Movement and Migration, Oil and Labor Resources in the MENA Region (Focus on GCC Countries)
  • 4. Change and Transition in the Politics of Gender and Sexuality in the MENA

Part IV  Case Studies and Conclusion

  • 5. Contemporary Dynamics and Dimensions of Politics and Society in Yemen, Qatar, Tunisia, and Iran
  • 6. Conclusion


  • Haghighat, Elhum, 2017. Gender & Dance in Modern Iran, Biopolitics on Stage. Digest of Middle East Studies (DOMES- MEMBR). Ida Meftahi. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2017. Ethnicity, Identity and the Development of Nationalism in Iran. David Yaghoubian. Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES). 51(01): 139-142. Middle East Studies Association of North America. Cambridge University Press.
  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2015. Women, Islam, and Resistance in the Arab World. Maria Holt and Haifaa Jawad. International Journal of Middle East Studies (IJMES). 47 (01): 193-194. Cambridge University Press. 
  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2015. Politics & Society in the Contemporary Middle East. Michele Penner Angrist. Review of Middle East Studies (RoMES). 49 (1): 62-64. DOI:10.1017/rms.2015.1. Cambridge University Press.​
  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2014. From the Shahs to Los Angeles, Three Generations of Iranian Jewish Women Between Religion and Culture. Saba Soomekh. Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies (JMEWS). 10 (3): 136-9. Middle East Studies Association of North America. Cambridge University Press.
  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2014. “Iran’s Changing Gender Dynamics in Light of Demographic, Political, and Technological Transformations”. Middle East Critique, Special Issue: Dynamics of Gender in Iran. 23 (3): 313-332. DOI: 10.1080/19436149.2014.949936. Taylor & Francis (United Kingdom).


  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2014. "Establishing the Connection between Demographic and Economic Factors, and Gender Status in the Middle East: Debunking the Perception of Islam’s Undue Influence. Special Issue: Social Justice and Social Exclusion." International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. 34 (7/8): 455-484. Emerald Group Publishing.



  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2012. “Debunking the Assumed Connection between Educational Attainment, Reduced Fertility & Mortality, Labor Force Inclusion & Political Participation for Women in the Middle East.” Middle East Critique. 21 (3): 309-332. Taylor & Francis (United Kingdom).



  • Haghighat-Sordellini, Elhum. 2011. “Iran within a Regional Context: Socio-Demographic Transformations and Effects on Women’s Social Status.” Gender in Contemporary Iran: Pushing the Boundaries, edited by Roksana Bahramitash & Eric Hooglund. (Pp.162-189). Routledge, Taylor & Francis. Iranian Studies series.


Content of the book

Part I   Introduction and Background

  • 1.       Introduction
  • 2.       The Path of Social and Economic Change According to the Modernization Theory
  • 3.       Patriarchy, Modernization, and the Global Economy


Part II   Status and the Component Variables that Influence Women’s Advancement in the MENA Region

  • 4.       Women’s Status: Access to Resources and Women’s Empowerment
  • 5.       Women’s Status and Fertility Patterns
  • 6.       Education and Status of Women
  • 7.       Work: Definition and Patterns
  • 8.       Labor Migration, Oil Revenue, and their Impact on Women’s Empowerment


  • Haghighat-Sordellini, Elhum. 2009. “Determinants of Female Labor Force Participation: A Focus on Muslim Countries. International Review of Sociology – Revue Internationale de Sociologie. 19 (1): 103-125. Taylor & Francis.
  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2005. “School Social Capital and Pupils’ Academic Performance.” International Studies in Sociology of Education. 15 (3):  213-235. Taylor & Francis.



  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2005. “A Comparative Analysis of Neopatriarchy and Female Labor Force Participation in Islamic Countries.” E Journal of Sociology. 1 (1): 1-26. Open access peer-reviewed academic journal.
  • ​Haghighat, Elhum. 2003. “Quest for Solidarity, Resisting Patriarchy, and Seeking Connection: An Analysis of Persian Poetry Written by Women.” Identities: Journal of Politics, Gender and Culture. 2 (1): 97-120. Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities.


  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2002. “Culture, Development and Female Labor Force Participation: Disaggregating Different Sectors.” International Review of Sociology. 12 (3): 243-362. Taylor & Francis.



Reports & Manuscripts (refereed & non refereed)

  • Haghighat, Elhum (with S. Freedberg & B. Banoum). 2005. The Role of Women in World Peace and the Role of Men and Boys in Gender Equity. Women’s Studies Review. Special Edition. Pp. 1-131. ISBN 0-615-13025-9: 
    Women's Studies Review Fall 2005 Special Edition


 Content of the book manuscript

  • The Role of Women in World Peace & The Role of Men and Boys in Gender Equity 
  • About the Editors, List of Contributors, Editors’ Notes, Members of the Organizing Committee for the Symposium, Sponsors  
  • Prologue
  • Introduction: Promoting Gender Equity and World Peace  
  • Ending Victimization of Children in Situations of War  
  • Moving from Words to Deeds
  • The Role of Women in Peace Building
  • A Journey to the Temple of Peace
  • The Role of Women in World Peace
  • Her Story: A Continuing Struggle to Reach Gender Equity
  • Reforming Gender: Effects of Globalization on Masculinity and Femininity in Mexico and the United States
  • Why Men Should Support Gender Equality
  • Aristophanes’ Lysistrata


  • Haghighat, Elhum (in Persian & English) —“در صلح جامعه نقش زن, Nagh-shea Zan Dar Sol-hea Jaa-me-eh, (The Role of Women in World Peace). 2005.” Talk was given by Shirin Ebadi in Persian (2003 Nobel Peace Laureate) at Lehman College. I transcribed her presentation and transliterated it into English. Published in The Role of Women in World Peace and the Role of Men and Boys in Gender Equity. Women’s Studies Review. Special Edition. Pp.40-57. ISBN 0-615-13025-9.

  • Haghighat, Elhum (with S. Freedberg & B. Banoum). 2005. “Introduction: Promoting Gender Equity and World Peace,” in The Role of Women in World Peace and the Role of Men and Boys in Gender Equity. Women’s Studies Review. Special Edition. Pp. 16-23. ISBN 0-615-13025-9.

  • Haghighat, Elhum. 2004. “Socio-Political and Cultural Significance of Poetry Written by Iranian Women.” Women’s Studies Review. Spring. Pp. 11-14.

  • Carnevale, Anthony P., Elhum Haghighat, & Ernest W. Kimmel. 1999. How do we Choose? Race, Ethnicity and Social Class in College Admission. Manuscript/book prepared as an ETS outreach publication. Pp. 1-358.

  • Carnevale, Anthony, Richard Fry, Elhum Haghighat and Ernest Kimmel. 1999. “Tests on Trial: Assessment and its Role in the Future of American Education.” Educational Testing Service. April. Pp. 1-50.

  • Carnevale, Anthony P., & Elhum Haghighat. 1998. “Selecting the Strivers: A Report on the Preliminary Results of the ‘Educational Strivers’ Study.” In Hopwood, Bakke, and Beyond: Diversity on Our Nation’s Campuses (ed.) by Daren Bakst. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) Annual Publications. Washington, D.C. Pp. 122-128.

  • Carnevale, Anthony P., Richard Fry, Elhum Haghighat, & Ernest W. Kimmel. 1998. “Role of Tests in College Admissions: Evaluating Skills for Higher Education.” In Achieving Inclusion in Higher Education, Selected Readings. Conference proceedings, Educational Testing Service Board of Trustees. June. Pp. 1-9.

  • Carnevale, Anthony P., Richard Fry, Elhum Haghighat, & Ernest W. Kimmel. 1998. “Selecting the Strivers: A Report on the Preliminary Results of ETS’ ‘Educational Strivers’ Study.” In Achieving Inclusion in Higher Education, Selected Readings. Conference proceedings, Educational Testing Service Board of Trustees. June. Pp. 1-11.

  • Carnevale, Anthony P., Richard A. Fry, Elhum Haghighat, and Ernest W. Kimmel. 1997. “Test Scores as Predictors of Academic and Career Performance.”   Harvard Civil Rights Project. Pp.1-27.

  • Finsterbusch, Kurt, Elhum Haghighat, & Warren Van Wicklin. 1993. "An Empirical Analysis of Factors Contributing to Project Performance and Capacity Building in Rural Water Supply Projects.". Report for the Water and Sanitation Division, Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, World Bank Report. June.

  • Finsterbusch, Kurt, Elhum Haghighat, & Warren Van Wicklin. 1993. "A Preliminary Analysis of the Role of Participation in the Effectiveness of Water Systems Projects Based on 52 Projects." Report for the Water and Sanitation Division, Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, World Bank Report. March.

  • Finsterbusch, Kurt, Elhum Haghighat, & Warren Van Wicklin. 1992. "The Role of Participation and Other Factors on the Effectiveness of Water Systems Projects." Report for the Water and Sanitation Division, Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, World Bank. August. 


Selected publicity regarding research

Lehman Professor’s New Book Analyzes Changing Demographics in the MENA
Office of Research Award, CUNY
P
rofessor Elhum Haghighat Releases New Book – MEMEAC

Book on women in MENA annoucement by Professor Haghighat

Research news - Professor Haghighat