Established in 2017 by Dr Rania Sawalhi & Ghiath Hawari, the Educational Leadership Lab functions as a dynamic resource that supports both research and professional development. It offers an interactive space where educational leaders and researchers come together to co-create solutions using design thinking methodology.

This lab is used to:

• Prototype leadership models in real-time contexts.

• Test and refine educational tools and frameworks.

• Build leadership capacity through hands-on, reflective practice.

• Generate field data for ongoing research in leadership and innovation.

As a resource, it enables the group to conduct practical, high-impact research and scale evidence-based innovations in educational settings across the region.​

Launched by Dr. Rania Sawalhi, the Educational Leadership Assessment (مقياس القيادة التربوية) is the first of its kind in the Arab world, designed to elevate leadership capacity and self-awareness among educational professionals. This assessment functions as a dynamic developmental tool that supports both individual growth and institutional excellence. It allows leaders to reflect on their performance, understand their capabilities, and receive practical recommendations based on evidence from their responses, enabling meaningful improvement in leadership practices.

The tool assesses leadership across eight core domains:

• Values and Dispositions

• Personal Traits

• Nuanced Leadership

• Rights Awareness

• Effective Communication

• Empowering Coaching

• Professional Acumen

• Teaching and Learning Expertise

This tool is used to:

• Identify strengths and areas for development.

• Support tailored professional learning plans.
  

• Build leadership skills for school leaders, supervisors, teachers, and youth workers.

• Generate data for applied research and continuous leadership innovation.

By offering instant, actionable insights and a user-friendly design, the Educational Leadership Assessment empowers Arab educators to lead with clarity, purpose, and impact, advancing educational quality and leadership excellence across the region.

The Social Innovation Initiative empowers institutions and individuals to respond to today’s complex societal challenges through human-centered design. By promoting social value in decision-making, the initiative helps uncover unmet needs and design sustainable, impactful solutions.

Targeting policymakers, students, designers, and social entrepreneurs, it offers resources, collaborative spaces, and practical tools to support innovation for the public good—bridging knowledge and action to create meaningful social change.