In an effort to present their latest research and findings, the 50th Annual Meeting of the Human Biology Association (HBA) brought together researchers, educators, and scientists from various disciplines. Prof. Rana Dajani, founder of We Love Reading, participated in the event held in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, from March 12-14, 2025.
Dajani chaired a session titled “Biomarkers and Novel Approaches within Vulnerable MENA Populations Grounded in Local Context.” Her research focused on the biological and behavioral impacts of conflict and displacement in the MENA region, which has experienced revolutions, oppression, genocide, and apartheid in countries such as Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Jordan, as a longstanding host for refugees, has played a critical role in shaping research that ensures local ownership and authenticity in understanding refugee experiences.
During the session, Prof. Dajani presented Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) as an innovative methodology to analyze agency and life satisfaction among Syrian refugee females and Jordanian women. This participatory approach revealed pathways of influence resulting from community-based interventions, such as the We Love Reading program, which trains local volunteers to read aloud to children, fostering mindset shifts and empowering communities.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative assessments of agency, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction with qualitative focus group discussions employing FCM. The findings highlighted how participatory interventions can empower marginalized populations and drive personal and communal transformation.
Prof. Dajani’s research highlighted the findings from this study, which have significant implications for understanding how community-based interventions, such as We Love Reading, can foster a sense of agency and improve life satisfaction among marginalized populations and host communities.
The Human Biology Association meeting served as a platform for scholars and professionals to explore topics such as growth and development, nutrition, genetics, immunology, mental health, and chronic diseases.