Introduction
From the time of its inception in 2008, New York university Abu Dhabi (or NYUAD) has defined itself as a key component of a global network university, linked to the main campus of New York University in New York, as well as to the Shanghai campus that was established in 2012. Along with these three degree-granting “portal” campuses, the NYU network also includes ten study away sites in locations as far-flung as Berlin, Accra, Sydney, and Buenos Aires. Central to this model is the idea that students, faculty and resources circulate between these locations, and students who matriculate at the Abu Dhabi campus are required to spend at least one semester at one of the other campuses or study-away sites, and are expected to spend further time away through summer internships or short-term courses between academic semesters. Equally central to the identity of the Abu Dhabi campus though is its location in a cultural, social and economic crossroads in the United Arab Emirates. S...