Sherin Karawia

Specialization

Islamic Art and Architecture 

Education

Diploma in Media & Technology of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Masters of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture, and Urbanism, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University 

Biography

Sherin Karawia is a VCUQ alumna who earned her degree in Interior Design, and her master’s degree in Islamic Art & Architecture at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar partnered with Oxford University in UK. In 2021, she earned her Media and Technology Diploma from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She always tries to consider sustainability and cultures in her designs and her teaching philosophy. Not only environmental sustainability, but also, cultural and social sustainability. To preserve history and sustain cultures, and to offer humane interior experiences with minimal costs. Sherin’s interest is not only in interior design, but also, in the design process in general; the whole ‘communication and innovation’ dynamic process. 

She freelanced for various residential and commercial design practices in Qatar and in the US. Sherin joined the faculty at VCUQ in the fall of 2017, as Teaching Assistant then as Adjunct Faculty in fall of 2020. Sherin’s approach in teaching is to design and facilitate optimal learning experiences for her students. To create a safe innovative environment that allows each student to explore his/her unique skills.

She taught different courses in the Interior Design department, such as:

• IDES 201: Introductory Interior Design Studio I 
• IDES 212: Interior Graphics II 
• IDES 231: Fundamentals of Interior Design 
• IDES 312: Advanced Interior Graphics II 
• IDES 323: Light and Color in Interior Environments 
• IDES 401: Senior Interior Design Studio 
• IDES 422: Senior Design Seminar II

Research Interests

Sherin’s research interests include cultures preservation, human perceptions, sustainability, and utilizing technology in spatial design.

Ongoing research on

• Redefining Proxemics in a Post-Covid Classroom
• Exploring new ways to enhance students’ engagement in the online classroom.

Publications

2022

Karawia, Sherin., Abdelmonem, Marwa. Redefining Proxemics in a Post-Covid Classroom: A Case Study. (EDRA 53) The Environmental Design Research Association Annual Conference. South Carolina, June 1-3, 2022.

2020

Karawia, Sherin., Exploring Sustainable Approaches of Modernization and Regionalism for Mosque Design in Qatar. Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Doha Qatar, 2020.

2020

Amor, Cherif., Karawia, Sherin., A Multifaced Collaboration: Impacts on Pedagogy. Proceeding of (EDRA51) The Environmental Design Research Association Annual Conference. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 4-7, 2020 [published in EDRA conference, but not presented]

Presentations

2022 Lecture Events Series. College of Islamic Studies. “Contemporary Mosque Architecture Between Innovation and Tradition in Qatar”. Doha, Qatar 

2022 EDRA Conference. “Redefining Proxemics in a Post-Covid Classroom: A Case Study”. (EDRA 53) The Environmental Design Research Association Annual Conference. South Carolina, US.

2021 Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar. Guest speaker on “The Evolution of Islamic Architecture through History”. Doha, Qatar.

2016 Annual Research Conference. “Best Stage Design Presentation”. Doha, Qatar.

Exhibitions

2018 The Moving Postcards. Qatar Contemporary: Art & Photography. The Manege, St. Petersburg, Russia. 

2017 The Moving Postcards Contemporary Art Qatar exhibition. Berlin, Germany. 

2016 Annual Research Conference Best Stage Design Award. Qatar Foundation. Doha, Qatar 

2016 VCUQ Interior Designers Exhibition. Mesharib Arts Center. Doha, Qatar 

2015 House of Sweden. Qatar Foundation Student Center. Doha, Qatar 

2013 Greetings from Doha. VCU Student Film Festival. Richmond, USA

Funded Research Projects and Grants

HBKU Innovation Centre Grant, $27,400

Reimagine Education Beyond Covid-19 With Virtual Embodiment. Rapid Response Innovation Call Grant, HBKU Innovation Center in Qatar.