Dr. Fareeda Abo-Rass
Charlotte B. and Jack J. Spitzer Department of Social Work, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
My life before BGU:
I was born in the city of Qalansawe in central Israel, where I was also raised and completed my high school education. Immediately after high school, I began my undergraduate studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, an experience that marked my first encounter with a broader world beyond my village and my familiar family and social circles. I later pursued my master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Haifa, in the Department of Community Mental Health. I then went on to a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University’s School of Public Health, supported by two prestigious awards: a Fulbright Fellowship and the Council for Higher Education Scholarship for Outstanding Women in Academia.
Why BGU?
Because, in many ways, it is my first home. This is where I first discovered my passion for research and took my initial steps in academia. Every corner of the university holds a memory for me, both personal and professional. It is also where I met two close friends who became like family, accompanying me throughout my journey from an 18-year-old student to a senior lecturer at the same institution. Beyond this personal connection, joining the Department of Social Work was especially meaningful for me, given its warm and supportive atmosphere, and the deep alignment between the department’s values and practice and my own professional and personal path.
My research?
My research focuses on the mental health of marginalized populations and individuals living under conditions of war and protracted conflict. My area of expertise is mental health literacy, a concept that encompasses not only objective knowledge about mental health, but also beliefs, perceptions, and personal attitudes. I examine how this form of literacy shapes health behaviors, help-seeking patterns, and health outcomes. My findings suggest that the concept, as it is commonly understood, does not always translate effectively across diverse populations, particularly for those living in conflict zones, and therefore requires rethinking and adaptation to their lived realities. This is a central focus of my work at the moment. In addition, I am interested in a broader question: how knowledge is produced in the social sciences and in mental health. Who produces this knowledge? Who funds it? Which institutions are involved, and what conceptual frameworks are used to describe reality?
An insight from my research:
One of my central insights is that knowledge is not always as objective as we tend to assume. Even in research, the knowledge we produce is shaped by those who produce it, where they come from, which voices are heard, and which are not. This is particularly evident when it comes to marginalized groups, who are often underrepresented in research, or are spoken about from the outside rather than from within their own lived experience.
Something not on my CV:
I have two wonderful daughters, Tulip, aged 11, and Yasmina, aged 8. We share a special bond and are something of a small “girls’ group”: we love spending time together, watching TV series, cooking, and shopping. Beyond that, we are a source of strength for one another, supporting, encouraging, and growing together. They are an inseparable part of every step I take, and I feel fortunate to experience motherhood alongside two such strong and remarkable girls.
Source of inspiration:
My father is my greatest source of inspiration. He was born in 1948 and grew up as a Palestinian amid wars and numerous challenges that prevented him from continuing his education, despite his deep desire to do so. Nevertheless, he never gave up. With determination, dedication, and great sacrifice, he did everything in his power to ensure that all six of his children would receive a higher education and create opportunities for themselves that he never had. From him, I learned perseverance, inner strength, faith in my path, and values that continue to guide me both in my personal life and academic journey.
If I weren’t a researcher, I would be…
I would be a writer. In truth, writing has always been there, both in my research and alongside it.
In brief:
- Summer or winter? Summer
- Steak or tofu? Steak
- Market or mall? Market
- Hiking or beach lounging? Hiking — big time!
- Car or train? Train
