AUB@Work

About AUB@Work

AUB@Work is the American University of Beirut’s monthly audio newsletter spotlighting the university’s most compelling research and expert commentary. Each month features four curated stories that highlight AUB’s cutting-edge innovations and timely insights from faculty on global developments. Designed for media professionals, think tanks, and curious readers alike, AUB@Work keeps you informed and inspired by AUB’s contributions to today’s most pressing conversations.

Publisher

American University of Beirut

Category

education · news · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Jun 2025

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   What Makes a University Relevant?

   What Makes a University Relevant? AUB@Work | The Audio Read What role should universities play beyond the classroom? And how can they prepare students to tackle real-world challenges while making a meaningful difference in their communities? Rabih Shibli, executive director of the Center for Community Engagement at the American University of Beirut (AUB), discusses how AUB is rethinking community engagement by making it a core part of the undergraduate experience. Through a mandatory general education course, students connect theory with practice, learning from their peers and working directly with communities to address pressing social challenges. Shibli explains what makes AUB's approach distinctive, why community engagement must respond to local needs, and how experiential learning can change the way students understand their role in the world. Read the full article: What Makes a University Relevant? (https://www.aub.edu.lb/communications/aub@work/Pages/2026/7/What-Makes-a-University-Relevant-.aspx) About The Audio Read The Audio Read brings stories from AUB@Work to life in audio format, exploring the research, ideas, and expertise of American University of Beirut faculty and experts. Keywords: Higher education, community engagement, experiential learning, service learning, Rabih Shibli, American University of Beirut, AUB, student engagement, social impact.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Can We Prevent the Next Pandemic?

   Can We Prevent the Next Pandemic? AUB@Work | The Audio Read Is another global pandemic inevitable? And if we can't prevent the next outbreak, can we at least stop it from becoming a worldwide catastrophe? Salim Adib, professor of public health practice at the American University of Beirut (AUB), examines why infectious diseases can spread across borders faster than ever—and what governments, researchers, and public health institutions can do to stay ahead of emerging threats. Drawing on lessons from COVID-19 and advances in disease surveillance, Adib explains how early detection, international information-sharing, and new technologies could help identify outbreaks before they spiral out of control. He also explores how faster vaccine development and more coordinated public health responses could dramatically reduce the human toll of future pandemics. The message is clear: We may not be able to prevent the next pandemic, but how quickly we recognize and respond to it could make all the difference. Read the full article: Can We Prevent the Next Pandemic? (https://www.aub.edu.lb/communications/aub@work/Pages/2026/7/Can-We-Prevent-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx) (https://www.aub.edu.lb/communications/aub@work/Pages/2026/7/Can-We-Prevent-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx)— AUB@Work About The Audio Read The Audio Read brings stories from AUB@Work to life in audio format, exploring the research, ideas, and expertise of American University of Beirut faculty and experts. Keywords: Pandemic preparedness, infectious diseases, epidemiology, Salim Adib, American University of Beirut, AUB, public health, disease surveillance, global health, World Health Organization, COVID-19, early detection, outbreak prevention, vaccine development, health emergencies.

3. 

   15 Oct 2026

   The Hidden Forces Shaping Our Health

   The Hidden Forces Shaping Our Health AUB@Work | The Audio Read How much control do we really have over the choices that shape our health? And how do the companies behind everyday products, advertising, and information influence what we consider healthy, necessary, or desirable? Jihad (Judy) Makhoul, professor of public health at the American University of Beirut (AUB), explores the commercial determinants of health—the ways corporate practices, financial interests, and industry influence can shape our well-being, often without us realizing it. Drawing on her research into corporate funding, humanitarian aid, and the broader forces shaping public health, Makhoul offers five practical ways to recognize and question commercial influences in everyday life. From looking beyond product labels and following corporate money to scrutinizing the information we consume, she explains why making informed choices matters—and why protecting public health ultimately requires more than individual responsibility. Read the full article: The Hidden Forces Shaping Our Health (https://www.aub.edu.lb/communications/aub@work/Pages/2026/7/The-Hidden-Forces-Shaping-Our-Health.aspx) — AUB@Work About The Audio Read The Audio Read brings stories from AUB@Work to life in audio format, exploring the research, ideas, and expertise of American University of Beirut faculty and experts. Keywords: Public health, commercial determinants of health, Jihad Makhoul, Judy Makhoul, American University of Beirut, AUB, corporate influence, consumer behavior, health misinformation, corporate social responsibility, conflicts of interest, health equity, public health policy.

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.