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Sherin Karawia

Assistant Professor,

Interior Design

Sherin Hesham Karawia It Helpdesk Support 250
[email protected]
+974 4402 0798
Specialization

Islamic Art and Architecture 

Education

Diploma in Media & Technology of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2022

Masters of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture, and Urbanism, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 2020

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016

Research Interests

Sherin’s multidisciplinary research interests include Islamic Architecture, cultures preservation, human perceptions, sustainability, and utilizing technology in spatial design. In addition, exploring potential opportunities of the use of AI in design and education.

Biography

Sherin Karawia is a dedicated educator and interior designer with a strong background in Islamic art and architecture. She is a VCUQ alumna who earned her bachelor 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 2022, 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. Sherin’s approach in teaching is to design and facilitate optimal learning experiences for her students, and to create a safe innovative environment that allows each student to explore their unique skills. As a passionate educator, she believes in fostering a stimulating learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness. She taught various types of courses, including design studios, lectures, seminars, and digital drafting.

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

  • IDES 201: Introductory Interior Design Studio I 
  • IDES 211: Interior Graphics 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
Publications
  • Abdelmonem, Marwa. Karawia, Sherin. “Classroom Communication Post Pandemic: A Case Study”. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 728 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03171-6
  • Abdelmonem, Marwa. Karawia, Sherin. 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. 
  • Karawia, Sherin., Kassem, Mona., Rafehi, Mariam. Reimagine Education Beyond Covid-19 With Virtual Embodiment. Rapid Response Innovation Call Grant, HBKU Innovation Center in Qatar, 2020. $ 27,000.00
  • Karawia, Sherin., Exploring Sustainable Approaches of Modernization and Regionalism for Mosque Design in Qatar. Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Doha Qatar, 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/Panels/Invited Guest Speaker
  • Karawia, Sherin. Al Baker, Abdullah. Hassan, Mariam. Padalo, Lalja. “Smart Home Technology: Its Impact on Interior Design and Quality of Life”. Qatar Interior Design Forum. Qatar Society of Engineers. Doha, Qatar. [Panel Discussion]. May 22, 2024.
  • Karawia, Sherin, ElSayed, Khalid. Jaidah, Ibrahim. Padalo, Lajla. Soliman, Mai. “Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Architecture”. Artificial Intelligence Forum. Qatar Society of Engineers. Doha, Qatar. [Panel Discussion]. May 8, 2024.
  • Karawia, Sherin, Carena, Simone, Granberg, Johan, Hammali, Haitham. “Sustainable Interior Design- Harmonizing Aesthetics and Sustainability”. Qatar Society of Engineers. Qatar Interior Design Forum, Doha, Qatar. [Panel Discussion]. September 28, 2023.
  • Karawia, Sherin. “Mosque Architecture Tangible and Intangible Elements”. Qatar Foundation Alumni Talk, Doha, Qatar. May21, 2023.
  • Karawia, Sherin, “Sustainability in Islamic Residential Architecture”. American Institute of Architects, AIA Middle East Conference, Doha, Qatar. May 17, 2023.
  • 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. 
  • Karawia, Sherin. “Contemporary Mosque Architecture between Innovation and Tradition in Qatar”. College of Islamic Studies Lecture Event Series, Doha, Qatar. August 17, 2022.
Exhibitions

2020

  • Muslim Youth Camp Design. Minaretein. Education City Mosque. Doha, Qatar.
  • A Library Re-Imagined, VCUarts Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
    Karawia, S. Suleiman, M., EL-Hammali, H., Colquhoun, L., Holmes-Dallimore, M. P., Hill, L.

2019

  • Muslim Youth Camp Design, Minaratein Gallery. Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.

2018

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

2017

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

2016

  • BFA Senior Show. VCUarts, Doha, Qatar.
  • ARC 16’. Annual Research Conference Best Stage Design Exhibited. Qatar Foundation. Doha, Qatar
  • VCUQ Interior Designers Exhibition. Mesharib Arts Center. Doha, Qatar

2015

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

2014

  • Greetings from Doha. VCU Student Film Festival. Richmond, VA, USA
Media Appearances/Contributions

2023

2022

  • Al Jazeera Channel. TV Interview
    ‘Sustainable approaches to save energy in our homes’. Al Jazeera Hatha Al Sabah Morning Talk Show. Al Jazeera Channel. October 20.
    https://youtu.be/UQIuAgkU6c8

2020