Dr. Heba Zedan is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Child and Youth Rights Program at the Minerva Center for Human Rights, Faculty of Law. She has earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in social work, specializing in trauma, from the Hebrew University. During her Ph.D. studies in social work, Dr. Zedan was recognized for her excellence with the prestigious President's Scholarship for outstanding doctoral students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Her research focuses on understanding socio-political determinants of mental health and violence perpetration among parents and children in the Palestinian society in Israel. Her doctoral research has been dedicated to examining the impact of sociopolitical stress factors (e.g., interpersonal racism, collective racism, and minority stress) on family violence perpetration, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment among Palestinians in Israel. Additionally, her work has explored resilience and risk factors as moderating and mediating variables in this relationship.
So far, her doctoral research has yielded four academic articles, two of which have been published in leading social sciences journals while two others are currently under review. Dr. Zedan's current post-doctoral research focuses on exploring intersectional minority stress and coping experiences in sociocultural and sociopolitical contexts among female adolescents living in East Jerusalem. Her research implements a cooperative and empowering methodological approach focusing on children's participation right. Prior to embarking on academic research, Dr. Zedan worked for nearly a decade as a clinical social worker with parents and children at Alyn Hospital in Jerusalem and at a Mental Health Clinic in Umm El Fahm.
Dr. Haya Gershuni is a postdoctoral researcher in a program focused on children's rights and youth within the Center for Human Rights at the Faculty of Law. She earned her bachelor's and second degree (with honors) through the ultra-Orthodox track at Ono Academic College, followed by a master's degree (with honors) at Tel Aviv University, specializing in Haredi studies with a focus on disabilities.
In her research, Dr. Gershuni delves into the intricate dynamics between the ultra-Orthodox community and the State of Israel, placing particular emphasis on marginalized populations. She explores the interconnection between the state judicial system, Jewish law, and social norms within the ultra-Orthodox community. Dr. Gershuni is an active participant in the Disabilities and Health Investigator Forum within the ultra-Orthodox society at the Center for Disabled Studies at the Hebrew University.
Having authored several articles addressing the intersection of ultra-Orthodox society and disabilities, Dr. Gershuni has presented her work at both local and international conferences. She serves as a teacher in the Ministry of the ultra-Orthodox sector, guiding seminar work, and is also a lecturer at Levinsky College of Education in the field of law, culture, and disability.