Mostafa Ebrahim has spent years balancing inspection of antiquities with academic ambition. At 40, he serves as the Head of Egyptian and Foreign Missions at Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, having overseen more than 300 archaeological missions, while also finalizing his PhD in Egyptology. But in 2025, he stepped away from his role to participate in the first ever Archaeology track of the InteRussia fellowship — a month-long program based in Moscow and St. Petersburg. What followed was not just academic enrichment, but a transformation in how he views research, collaboration, and even diplomacy. Here, Mostafa reflects on the fellowship that changed his professional and personal trajectory.
— What first brought the InteRussia fellowship to your attention, and why did you decide to apply?
The idea to apply for the fellowship was suggested to me by one of the youngest, creative and smart Russian archaeologists and Egyptologists Maksim Lebedev, who I met when he worked as the head of the Russian archaeological mission at Gebel El-Nour. He provided guidance for my PhD and encouraged me to join the month-long program in Russia. So, I asked myself why I don’t make use of this opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the approaches developed by Russian colleagues in architectural studies, epigraphy, GIS-based research, and the study of ancient landscapes.
— What did a typical day of the program look like?
The fellowship provided a diverse blend of academic, professional, and cultural activities designed to foster deep research and international collaboration. Our typical schedule generally began with morning research sessions and consultations with supervisors to develop our individual projects.
The afternoons were dedicated to specialized lectures—covering topics such as new methodological approaches in historical studies or the analysis of ancient collections—complemented by field visits to world-class institutions.
— Which institutions made the strongest impression on you?
We visited the State Hermitage Museum, the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, the Kunstkamera and archives. The program offered a rare opportunity to engage with primary source material and artefacts necessary for rigorous material culture studies. But what stood out to me the most was my visit to the Hermitage — a monument to human creativity and imperial grandeur. It houses over three million items that chart the course of global history from the Stone Age to the modern era, featuring true masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. Walking through its gilded halls, I experienced a living chronicle of history and a real sanctuary for the world's cultural heritage.
— How did the fellowship push your academic thinking forward?
Beyond the archives, the fellowship emphasized methodological advancement, particularly through lectures on neomodernist theory and the use of advanced technologies in architectural archaeology. These sessions pushed us to modernize our analytical frameworks. The program culminated in a formal presentation of our research projects, which covered diverse topics from Paleolithic stone production to ancient Egyptian collections. That experience fostered a unique environment for peer review and interdisciplinary networking.
— What was your overall takeaway from the academic experience?
The fellowship gave me a broader perspective on what research and development truly involve. It helped me understand that progress is not only about reaching the final result, but also about the process of experimenting, failing, learning, and refining ideas until something finally works. What truly defined this fellowship for me was the incredible human connection. I had the privilege of collaborating with colleagues from Lebanon, Sudan, and Iran, as well as several post-Soviet states, transforming a group of strangers into a tight-knit community. This rich cultural exchange made the intensive hours in the lab feel less like a demanding project and more like a shared passion, fueled by our diverse perspectives and mutual support.
— How did the experience change your professional network or worldview?
Beyond the academic and professional training, the InteRussia fellowship exerted a profound influence on me by reshaping my strategic networks. By immersing me in a high-intensity environment alongside other peers from diverse regions, the program helped me break down regional silos and foster perspective on international affairs. For a specialist like me, this influence manifests as a transition from theoretical knowledge to practical, multi-polar diplomacy, turning what was once a formal research project into a lifelong professional community built on shared experience and mutual trust.
— Finally, what advice would you give to young specialists considering this fellowship?
I would tell them to go for it without hesitation. The program offers a unique environment where things may not always follow a linear path, but that is exactly where the real value lies. By being open to every opportunity, you turn challenges into the most rewarding wins of your professional journey.
— What first brought the InteRussia fellowship to your attention, and why did you decide to apply?
The idea to apply for the fellowship was suggested to me by one of the youngest, creative and smart Russian archaeologists and Egyptologists Maksim Lebedev, who I met when he worked as the head of the Russian archaeological mission at Gebel El-Nour. He provided guidance for my PhD and encouraged me to join the month-long program in Russia. So, I asked myself why I don’t make use of this opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the approaches developed by Russian colleagues in architectural studies, epigraphy, GIS-based research, and the study of ancient landscapes.
— What did a typical day of the program look like?
The fellowship provided a diverse blend of academic, professional, and cultural activities designed to foster deep research and international collaboration. Our typical schedule generally began with morning research sessions and consultations with supervisors to develop our individual projects.
The afternoons were dedicated to specialized lectures—covering topics such as new methodological approaches in historical studies or the analysis of ancient collections—complemented by field visits to world-class institutions.
— Which institutions made the strongest impression on you?
We visited the State Hermitage Museum, the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, the Kunstkamera and archives. The program offered a rare opportunity to engage with primary source material and artefacts necessary for rigorous material culture studies. But what stood out to me the most was my visit to the Hermitage — a monument to human creativity and imperial grandeur. It houses over three million items that chart the course of global history from the Stone Age to the modern era, featuring true masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. Walking through its gilded halls, I experienced a living chronicle of history and a real sanctuary for the world's cultural heritage.
— How did the fellowship push your academic thinking forward?
Beyond the archives, the fellowship emphasized methodological advancement, particularly through lectures on neomodernist theory and the use of advanced technologies in architectural archaeology. These sessions pushed us to modernize our analytical frameworks. The program culminated in a formal presentation of our research projects, which covered diverse topics from Paleolithic stone production to ancient Egyptian collections. That experience fostered a unique environment for peer review and interdisciplinary networking.
— What was your overall takeaway from the academic experience?
The fellowship gave me a broader perspective on what research and development truly involve. It helped me understand that progress is not only about reaching the final result, but also about the process of experimenting, failing, learning, and refining ideas until something finally works. What truly defined this fellowship for me was the incredible human connection. I had the privilege of collaborating with colleagues from Lebanon, Sudan, and Iran, as well as several post-Soviet states, transforming a group of strangers into a tight-knit community. This rich cultural exchange made the intensive hours in the lab feel less like a demanding project and more like a shared passion, fueled by our diverse perspectives and mutual support.
— How did the experience change your professional network or worldview?
Beyond the academic and professional training, the InteRussia fellowship exerted a profound influence on me by reshaping my strategic networks. By immersing me in a high-intensity environment alongside other peers from diverse regions, the program helped me break down regional silos and foster perspective on international affairs. For a specialist like me, this influence manifests as a transition from theoretical knowledge to practical, multi-polar diplomacy, turning what was once a formal research project into a lifelong professional community built on shared experience and mutual trust.
— Finally, what advice would you give to young specialists considering this fellowship?
I would tell them to go for it without hesitation. The program offers a unique environment where things may not always follow a linear path, but that is exactly where the real value lies. By being open to every opportunity, you turn challenges into the most rewarding wins of your professional journey.
