MESA’s Bylaws provide for several standing committees, among them the annual meeting Program Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Ethics Committee, and the Publications Committee.

Over the years, several other committees have been established as programs have been added or issues have arisen.  The Committee for Academic Freedom on the Middle East and North Africa (CAFMENA) was established to address issues of academic freedom in Middle Eastern and North African countries. The Canadian Committee of MESA (CANMES) was established to address issues of particular concern to MESA’s Canadian members.  MESA’s Finance Committee makes recommendations on MESA’s investments, and two committees oversee the Albert Hourani Book Award and the Malcolm H. Kerr Dissertation Awards.  The Visiting Scholar Committee reviews nominations and makes recommendations to MESA’s Board of Directors for the annual visiting scholar.