Alaa Dia is an architect, lecturer, and PhD candidate in the Urban Studies department at the University of Basel. With academic roots in Architecture from the Lebanese University and Urban Design from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zürich), Alaa's work sits at the compelling intersection of architecture, urban studies, and migration research.

Before joining the University of Basel teaching faculty, Alaa contributed as a principal researcher to the project "Infrastructure Space and the Future of Migration Management: The EU Hotspots in the Mediterranean Borderscape." This interdisciplinary project, funded by the Swiss Network for International Studies, examined the transformational role of infrastructure in border spaces across five Mediterranean nations. Alaa led the exploration of spatial and architectural dimensions within this context. In earlier roles, Alaa served as a doctoral researcher and teaching assistant at ETH Zurich's Department of Architecture. His postgraduate research under Prof. Marc Angélil investigated the social and architectural impacts of refugee communities in Germany. This work was featured in the "Inclusive Urbanism" exhibition at the Deutsches Architekturmuseum Frankfurt.

PhD project

This interdisciplinary research project delves into the uncharted territory of the architecture and materiality of border spaces, with a specific focus on the islands of the Aegean Sea. Situated within the evolving discourse of border and migration studies, the project introduces the novel concept of "border-building." It aims to understand how the design and infrastructure of border facilities both reflect and enact state policies and political narratives. Through extensive fieldwork, interviews, and architectural surveys, the research investigates the tangible aspects of border-making and their interplay with the broader socio-political landscape. It challenges traditional state-centric views by highlighting the active role of migrants in shaping these environments. The project raises critical questions about how the built environment affects migration experiences and strategies, seeking to offer a nuanced and holistic understanding of borders in today's world.

Awards/Scholarships

• Scholarship, Doc.Mobility - funded by the University of Basel and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
• Scholarship, Die Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft (FAG), Basel.
• Research Grant, Swiss Network for International Studies (S.N.I.S.)

PhD Supervisors: Prof Kenny Cuper; Dr Andrew Tucker; Dr Romola Sanyal and Dr Sarah Lopez.

 View Alaa's CV.