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Groundwater is a vital non-renewable resource that is being over exploited at an alarming rate. In Saudi Arabia, the majority of groundwater is used for agricultural activities. As such, the mapping of irrigated lands is a crucial step for managing available water resources. Even though traditional in-field mapping is effective, it is expensive, physically demanding, and spatially restricted. The use of remote sensing combined with advanced computational approaches provide a potential solution to this scale problem. However, when attempted at large scales, traditional computing tends to have significant processing and storage limitations. To address the scalability challenge, this project explores open-source cloud-based resources to map and quantify center-pivot irrigation fields on a national scale. This is achieved by first applying a land cover classification using Random Forest which is a machine learning approach, and then implementing a circle detection algorithm. While the analysis represents a preliminary exploration of these emerging cloud-based techniques, there is clear potential for broad application to many problems in the Earth and environmental sciences.

This thesis aims to contribute to the existing gap in the research of religion in international relations by applying the theory of elite instrumentalism to the proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The analysis was able to demonstrate that the elites of both states have instrumentalized religion by utilizing concepts of Islamic rulership to legitimize their rule and justify their political actions. Iran has utilized the Shia Twelver concept of “Guardianship of the Jurist”, advocated by Ayatollah Khomeini during the Iranian revolution, to give Islamic jurists the same function as holy figures in Shia Islam. Saudi elites have legitimized their rule with the Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam and the concept of “Head of the community”, which deems it sinful for subjects to oppose their Muslim ruler. By analysing fatwas, speeches, narratives and ideas being pushed by the elites of the countries, this study confirms that state elites have used religion to mobilize groups in the civil wars occurring in Yemen and Syria. Elites of both states have attempted to discredit each other to be able to expand their influence in the region and to assert their dominance by presenting themselves as rulers with the God-given right to rule.

This project explores the role of GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) in the process of art creation with a focus on traditional art and craft of Saudi Arabia. It introduces a concept for participatory museum experience where visitors are able to interact with an Artificial Intelligence (AI)  generative tool to create their own piece of traditional Saudi Arabia art.  This study investigates different types of GANs models that can be used to make the traditional art creation more accessible and attractive to the younger generation by introducing the possibilities of emerging technology. At the same time, it analyzes potential limitations and concerns that such fast developing technology carries. Within the big scope of this project including technology research, cultural studies regarding Saudi Arabia art and craft, training AI models and iterative prototyping, the research focuses on looking at the AI-powered services through the lenses of User Experience (UX). UX studies and corresponding methodologies from the field are used to explore the quality of the interactions between the user (visitor) and the AI system. Based on the performed design process, the outcome proposes a screen based image generation tool which utilizes a visual programming approach to interface by visualizing the generation path along with the data flow and allowing the user to connect generated images in order to create new content. Presented solution introduces an alternative approach to the design of image generators where users can follow the creation path from the first prompt to the final image.

Conducting species inventories is important to provide baseline information essential for management and conservation. Furthermore, understanding the effects of anthropogenic and environmental factors on species richness and occurrence are crucial to conserve species. Aldesa Valley lies in the Tabuk Region of Saudi Arabia, and because of the presence of permanent water and vegetation, is thought to contain high biodiversity. I estimated avian species richness and occurrence in Aldesa Valley during May 10–August 10 in 2014 and 2015 to detect bird species richness and occurrence. I used generalized linear models and occupancy models for six commonly detected bird species. I recorded 24 bird species, and found that species richness and occupancy was affected by numerous anthropogenic and environmental factors that influenced species detection and presence. I encourage more biological inventories to further document species occurrences and facilitate conservation of the unique species assemblages in Aldesa Valley.

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The exposed Tertiary carbonates of the Dammam Dome present an opportunity to study fractures in outcrops within the oil-producing region of Eastern Saudi Arabia. The study focuses on: 1) the characterization of fractures, 2) interpretation of their fracturing mechanism, and 3) the implications for the deep carbonate reservoirs of the Dammam Dome. The characterization of the outcrop fractures is integrated with structural analysis of the near-surface horizons mapped from reflection seismic and well data. Fractures are observed within all exposed carbonate units, but predominantly within the widely exposed Middle Rus unit. The fractures are opening-mode, bed-bound joints that form orthogonal sets (NW-SE and NE-SW trending joints). The trends of through-going, primary NW-SE trending joints do not correlate with the trends of remote regional stress associated with compression of Zagros uplift, suggesting they did not develop due to that orogenic event. The primary joints also seem to have developed independently of the observed karst features and interpreted near-surface faults. The analysis of joint pattern and their spacings generally seem to reflect the fold growth of the strata, position on fold and mechanical stratigraphy. The study results provide a first-order conceptual fracture model for the subsurface reservoirs to guide future development.

This thesis analyzes how Sweden is acting against their Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) in relation to their firearms exports to Saudi Arabia. There is plenty of previous research on FFP along with the arms trade with Saudi Arabia. Through this, feminist theory is applied to the FFP and the trade relation, with the purpose of attempting to uncover how Sweden’s actions are contradictory to their FFP. Therefore, in order to address how their actions are contradictory, the research question of this thesis is: How is Sweden acting against their FFP? This thesis utilizes a Qualitative Content Analysis to selected empirical material, news websites and international organization websites. As a result based on this analysis, Sweden acts against their FFP because they export firearms to Saudi Arabia, who violates human rights and oppresses women, and supplying a country like that with firearms legitimizes their violating and oppressing actions.