In a country long marked by conflict and underfunded education, one organization is quietly rewriting Iraq’s academic future. Rise Publishers, based in Baghdad with operations across the UK and the Middle East, has supported over 2,000 researchers in publishing peer-reviewed studies over the past five years—helping reposition Iraq within the global academic community.
Since its founding in 2020, Rise Publishers has become a central force in Iraq’s research renaissance, providing technical support, editorial guidance, and financial aid to scholars across diverse fields, including public health, climate science, engineering, and the humanities.

Five Years, Thousands of Papers, and a Growing Global Footprint

According to internal figures verified by several academic institutions, Rise Publishers has facilitated the publication of more than 1,500 journal articles and 500 conference papers in top-tier databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore.
Collaborating with researchers from over 30 Iraqi universities and institutions in the UK, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey, the organization offers end-to-end services—from manuscript preparation and peer review to submission, revision, and indexing.
“Publishing my research in an international journal felt out of reach,” said Dr. Luma Al-Samarrai, a microbiologist from Mosul. “Rise Publishers not only made it possible—they mentored me through every step.”

Closing the Gap for Underrepresented and Emerging Scholars

A hallmark of Rise Publishers’ work has been its commitment to accessibility and equity, especially for researchers with limited institutional support or funding. In the past five years, the organization has waived or subsidized publication costs for over 600 scholars, many of whom are early-career researchers or women academics.
“Without their scholarship programme, I would still be waiting to publish my thesis,” said Samar Al-Hariri, an environmental science graduate from Karbala. “They gave me a voice in the global debate on water policy.”
Through training webinars, editorial workshops, and one-on-one mentorship, Rise has also built long-term publishing capacity among Iraq’s research community.

Bridging Iraq with the International Academic Arena

One of the key success factors behind Rise Publishers’ impact is its role as a connector between local knowledge and global platforms. Its bilingual editorial team—operating in Arabic and English—helps local researchers overcome both linguistic and bureaucratic barriers to publication.
The organization has established publishing partnerships with journals in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, creating reliable pathways for Iraqi work to reach international audiences.
“Whether you’re writing in Tikrit or London, Rise Publishers makes sure your research stands on equal ground,” said Dr. Haider Al-Taie, a political science researcher and former dean at the University of Basra.

Focus on Quality and Research Integrity

Rise Publishers emphasizes not just quantity, but quality and academic ethics. All submissions go through plagiarism screening, peer evaluation, and editorial refinement. Over the years, the organization has turned away dozens of projects that failed to meet academic standards, building a reputation for integrity that has earned it institutional trust.
In 2023, it partnered with three Iraqi universities to establish research integrity guidelines and train faculty in publication ethics—an initiative praised by UNESCO’s Iraq office.

Looking Ahead: Research, Inclusion, and Innovation

As it moves into its sixth year, Rise Publishers is planning to expand its footprint by launching a regional academic journal and opening a Research Accelerator Hub in Erbil by late 2025. The new centre will support interdisciplinary projects and facilitate collaboration with universities across the Middle East and Europe.
“Our mission is simple,” said Hussein Al-Jubouri, co-founder and managing editor at Rise Publishers. “We believe that every researcher deserves a chance to contribute to global knowledge—no matter their geography, gender, or income.”
With a growing list of achievements and a vision focused on empowerment, Rise Publishers is fast becoming one of the most influential academic engines in Iraq’s post-war development and a rising player in regional knowledge diplomacy.