Alya bint Hilal Al-Mardhouf Al-Saadi from the College of Arts and Social Sciences has secured third place in the inaugural Ibn Khaldun Scientific Research Award, organised by the Mustaqirah Foundation in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the theme “The Family in the Digital Space”.

The researcher participated in the competition with a joint research paper entitled “The Digital Generation Gap and Its Impact on Family Identity and Values: A Study of the Challenges of Parental Guidance and Supervision”. Al-Saadi is an associate researcher in philosophy in the Department of Sociology and Social Work.

The Ibn Khaldun Scientific Research Award attracted broad participation from researchers across the Arab world, with 104 submissions from nine countries. This strong engagement reflects the award’s growing standing as a scientific platform dedicated to promoting research and supporting studies that contribute to addressing issues related to family, society, and sustainable development.

All submissions underwent a rigorous scientific review and evaluation process conducted by a specialised judging panel comprising academics and experts from a range of disciplines. Following the assessment, 44 studies were accepted as meeting the established scientific criteria, from which the ten highest-ranked papers were selected for the top awards.

The research that received third place was co-authored with Dr. Ahmed Al-Ahmed from the University of Jordan. The study examines the digital divide between generations and its direct impact on family identity and values, with particular emphasis on the challenges parents face in guiding their children and regulating their use of digital technologies. The research highlights how disparities in technological knowledge and skills between generations can create difficulties in family communication and weaken parental oversight, ultimately affecting values and behavioural patterns within families and society.

The Mustaqirah Foundation is a non-profit social organisation in the Kingdom of Bahrain dedicated to strengthening family stability through awareness initiatives, educational programmes, and community activities across various fields. The Ibn Khaldun Scientific Research Award reflects the Foundation’s belief in the importance of scientific research and its role in supporting decision-making and advancing community initiatives. The strong response to the award’s first edition demonstrates the presence of promising Arab research talent deserving of support, empowerment, and opportunities to showcase its scholarly contributions.