Frieze Center for Shared Society
The Frieze Center at the University of Haifa
I founded the Center in 2025 and direct its research, teaching, and partnerships on relations among communities in Israel.
Why I founded it
Work beyond the campus
The Frieze Center grew out of conversations with colleagues and partners about how the University of Haifa could contribute to questions of social division.
As founding director, I work with academic director Dr. Ran Kuttner and colleagues on research, university teaching, mediation, and conversations with public institutions. In Haifa, this includes an advisory group of religious leaders that meets with the mayor.
Areas of activity
What we are building
Research and measurement
The Shared Society Index is being developed to track social relations and attitudes. Results will be published when available.
University curriculum
Course pilots are planned in communication, sociology, and political science for the 2026–27 academic year.
Professional training
A twelve-session mediation certificate course brings together participants from different religious communities.
Public partnerships
The Center works with the Municipality of Haifa and other partners on practical questions raised by life in a mixed city.
University-wide platform
A university-wide effort
Our research group, led by Dr. Nurit Novis Deutsch, brings scholars together to examine the experiences and institutions that shape relations among groups.
We aim to bring that research into courses, professional training, and public discussion. The work is underway; its results will be reported as the projects develop.
Current initiatives
Projects now underway
Shared Society Index
The Index is in development. It will examine relations and attitudes among groups; published measures and results will be linked here when available.
Curriculum pilots
Pilots in communication, sociology, and political science are planned for 2026–27.
Mediation training
A twelve-session certificate course in mediation for an interfaith cohort.
Research-practice round tables
Four round tables planned for October 2026 will address care, violence in Arab society, Haredi civic integration, and research institutions.
Explore the Center’s work
Research, initiatives, partnerships, and updates are available on the official Frieze Center website.