MENA Junior Fellowship ( 2 Ed. 2026)

Toran Al-Hadad

Toran Al-Hadad is a political researcher in public policy analysis, governance, and ‎development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in ‎Business Administration and an executive diploma in Government Administration, ‎providing him with a solid analytical foundation in public sector institutions, ‎administrative systems, and policy implementation.‎
His research interests focus on public policymaking, local governance, decentralization, ‎and local development during conflict, with particular attention to the Yemeni context. ‎Toran has contributed to a policy-oriented case study analyzing foreign investment ‎policies in Yemen.‎
Toran is actively engaged in initiatives aimed at enhancing youth participation in public ‎policymaking processes and aspires to advance as a policy analyst contributing to ‎evidence-based governance and development reform.‎

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Josiane Atallah

Josiane Atallah is a development practitioner specializing in international development, humanitarian response, with a regional focus on the Middle East and North Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations under a Fulbright Scholarship, where her academic work centered on governance, conflict dynamics, and the role of international actors in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Josiane’s research interests lie at the intersection of state-building, localization, and equitable resource mobilization, with particular attention to how international assistance can strengthen—rather than bypass—local institutions. 
Professionally, Josiane brings experience in program management, partnerships, and grants management across leading international organizations and think tanks, including the International Rescue Committee, Peace First, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She has led multi-stakeholder initiatives, supporting initiatives in education, economic recovery, and community resilience.
Josiane has contributed to research and policy discussions on the Middle East, including analysis of conflict impacts, recovery, and reconciliation. She is particularly committed to advancing approaches that promote sustainable peace, institutional resilience, and locally driven development.

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Hawra Habib Alnooh

With over 15 years at the forefront of academic transformation, I bring a dynamic blend of leadership, strategy, and innovation to the higher education landscape. As the driving force behind Bahrain Polytechnic’s Teaching and Learning Unit, I lead with purpose—spearheading AI integration into curricula, elevating academic staff performance, and crafting learner success frameworks that resonate with 21st-century education.
My journey is defined by a passion for progress: from orchestrating national symposiums and managing postgraduate programmes for adult learners, to aligning institutional practices with rigorous national and international standards (BQA, HEC, AHE). I thrive in cross-functional environments, where I translate vision into action and strategy into measurable impact. Whether it's pioneering digital transformation or championing inclusive academic excellence, I lead with insight, integrity, and innovation.

Samuel Jonathan Burton

Samuel Burton is an EU policy professional and researcher specialising in the intersection of energy security and regional geopolitics in the Middle East. His current research examines the economic and geopolitical implications of a potential Kurdish entity, building on his established academic thesis work titled "Stateless but Autonomous? Historical perspectives and contemporary models of Kurdish governance in the Middle East".
Fluent in French and English, he holds a Master’s degree in Applied European Policy and Governance Studies from CIFE, where he qualified as a Policy Officer in European and International Organisations. He also earned an MLitt in Global, Political and Social Thought from the University of St Andrews. He has just finished an internship working on European-funded projects at the Ligue de l’Enseignement in Paris, where he monitored European project calls and managed funding applications.

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Imane Lahrich

Imane Lahrich is an independent consultant specializing in policy-oriented research and strategic advisory, with a particular focus on migration, human security, and the nexus between security and development. Her work spans stakeholder mapping, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment, as well as the design and facilitation of policy labs, curriculum development, and policy prototyping processes aimed at informing inclusive and evidence-based decision-making.
Between 2019 and 2025, she served as Head of the Research Valorization Department at the Policy Center for the New South, where she contributed to advancing research on public policy and geopolitics, while supporting the Center’s monitoring and strategic analysis unit, with a regional focus on Egypt and Sudan. Prior to this, she worked as a Project Manager at a strategic intelligence firm (2017–2019), and as a research consultant (2014–2017), covering Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt, with an emphasis on democracy, human security, migration dynamics, and the rule of law.
Her research interests are anchored in critical approaches to the security–development nexus, with particular attention to migration governance and the externalization of borders. She engages with human security as both an analytical lens and a normative framework, examining how public policies intersect with issues of protection, dignity, and socio-economic rights. Her work more broadly explores policy dynamics across the Mediterranean, North and West Africa, and the Middle East, focusing on how states navigate the interplay between security imperatives, development priorities, and migration governance.
Imane holds a Master’s degree in Political and Security Studies from Toulouse Law School (Université Toulouse 1 Capitole) and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Mohammed V University in Rabat. She also completed an academic exchange at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic under the European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus Excellence Scholarship.
She is currently a Research Fellow at the Social Sciences Lab MENA, a member of the Council of Europe’s Rule of Law Network, an alumna of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) State Department Elections Program, a member of the Future Think Tank Leaders network led by ISPI, Deloitte, and the OECD, and part of the 2024 cohort of the IISS Manama Dialogue Leadership Program.

Ahmad Nayef Abuhamad

Ahmad Abuhamad is a journalist and researcher with experience as a media development advisor, specializing in media development and media for development from a postcolonial perspective. He previously worked at Al Jazeera Media Institute, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Jordan, and Community Media Network. He led and conducted many projects supporting freedom of expression across the Global South, particularly in conflict-affected and economically challenged contexts. He participated in writing and editing a guide to protect journalists from legal restrictions. He holds an MSc in Media and Communication Studies from Lund University. He focuses on research areas related to information ecosystems and the effects of ICT on media engagement.

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Aseel Ibrahim

Aseel is a gender and youth inclusivity researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social justice, inclusive research, and transformative evaluation in the SWANA region. She currently works as a Researcher at Includovate, where she contributes to the design and implementation of research and evaluation projects focused on equity, inclusion, and meaningful participation. Her work centers on decolonial and feminist approaches to evaluation and knowledge production, particularly within conflict-affected and marginalized contexts. She is currently engaged in programs supporting Syrian refugees and conflict-affected youth, with a focus on gender-responsive and youth-centered approaches.
Aseel holds an MA in Audiovisual Translation from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Her academic background informs her interdisciplinary approach to language, representation, and accessibility, and her research interests include inclusive methodologies, digital cultures, and the role of discourse in shaping social and political narratives.
Beyond her research and evaluation work, Aseel has been involved in regional and global initiatives advancing gender equality and meaningful youth participation. She has served in advisory and consultation roles with organizations including Plan International, UN Women, Terre des Hommes, and Girls First Fund. Aseel has also participated in global advocacy and policy spaces, including the UN Summit of the Future, CSW, and the World Congress on Justice with Children, bringing forward perspectives from young people and communities in the SWANA region. 
Her work continues to advance meaningful participation, inclusion, and the integration of decolonial approaches in research, communication, and practice.
 

Sondos Emadeldin Mohamed Abdin

Sondos Abdin is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics for Economics and Finance at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom, with a focus on econometrics, applied economics, and quantitative analysis for robust, evidence-based policy evaluation. Her studies are developing strong experience in building econometric models, working with large datasets, and applying techniques such as volatility measurement and quantitative financial analysis.
Her academic interests lie in governance and its role in shaping economic and financial outcomes, as well as climate-related risks in Africa and the MENA region. She is particularly interested in macro-financial dynamics and economic stability, and in how emerging risks influence financial markets and policy responses in developing and emerging economies.
Sondos previously worked as a Financial Advisor and Economic Analyst at Banque Misr in Egypt, where she gained practical experience in financial analysis and economic assessment. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University.
 

Ammar Hassan

I am an independent researcher from Syria focusing on armed non-state actors, rebel governance, and identity in the MENA region. I hold a joint MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Kent and Philipps University of Marburg, and an MA in Diplomacy and International Affairs from ADA University. I worked as a Research Assistant at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) on the Armed Group Constellations in Multiparty Civil Wars project. I have a passion for learning languages; besides Arabic, I speak English and Turkish, with basic knowledge of Persian, Russian, and German.

Abdul Rahman

I hold a Master's degree in International Relations and Area Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, where I learnt the importance of global issues and their impact on local problems. Realising the complexity and significance of West Asia, I did a research paper on the Saudi-Iranian relations. To develop a broader perspective and live in a cosmopolitan environment, I decided to pursue a Master's at the University of Geneva, where my research analyses sustainability issues, which, in my opinion, is the biggest challenge that humanity is facing. With the MENA Junior Fellowship, I aim to extend studying the sustainability in the Gulf region and at the same time broaden my research network with students and experts in the region.

Lalla Amina Drhimeur 

Lalla Amina Drhimeur holds a PhD in Political Science from Sciences Po Lyon. Her thesis explores the evolution of political Islam in power, with a comparative focus on the AKP in Turkey and the PJD in Morocco, analyzing the national and international contexts shaping their public policy choices. 
Drhimeur has taught “Political Systems of the Arab Worlds” and “Socio-Anthropology of Arab Societies” at Sciences Po Lyon, France. She is a former ERC Prime YOUTH Researcher on “Nativism, Islamophobia, and Islamism in the Age of Populism” examining migration and transnational politics, and how state policies and structural contexts shape the political and social trajectories of migrant-origin youth in Europe, including pathways toward radicalization and political engagement. Her research also focuses on informal modes of political mobilization and resistance among youth in the Arab worlds. Through fieldwork exploring cultural practices such as street art, music, and football fan culture, she examines how young people navigate and contest authoritarian and patriarchal systems by creating alternative spaces for political expression outside formal institutions.  
Her publications include Rethinking the inclusion-moderation hypothesis through gender politics: A comparison between the AKP in Turkey and the PJD in Morocco ; Diaspora politics and religious diplomacy in Turkey and Morocco ; The Party of Justice and Development’s Pragmatic Politics ; The Rise of Populism? Comparing Incumbent Pro-Islamic Parties in Turkey and Morocco ; and The 2011 Uprisings, Power Structures, and Reforms in Morocco. 
 

Mohammed Affan

I am a Political Science and International Relations graduate with a focus on global security, digital governance, and the evolving nature of conflict in international politics. My academic and research interests examine how technological transformations intersect with geopolitics, particularly in areas such as information warfare, cyber governance, and the strategic role of digital infrastructures.
I have authored analytical articles on international diplomacy, security policy, and global governance, reflecting a sustained engagement with contemporary policy debates. My writing focuses on connecting theoretical frameworks with real-world developments, particularly in conflict and crisis settings.
My broader research interests lie at the intersection of International Security and Digital Governance, with particular attention to how states and non-state actors in the Global South navigate technological change, shape political narratives, and respond to evolving security challenges. I aim to build a career that bridges research with practical policy engagement in global affairs.

Fadia Boubaker

Fadia Boubaker is a Ph.D. holder in Political Science from the University of Mohamed Lamine Debaghine, Sétif-2, Algeria. Her research interests include international relations theory, comparative political analysis, international political economy, security studies, and Middle Eastern regional politics. She is particularly interested in energy security, global governance, and the geopolitical implications of economic and energy transitions.
She has participated in several national and international conferences addressing topics such as Algerian-European relations, major power politics, climate change, human security, and energy governance in the Mediterranean region. She has also contributed to the organization of academic conferences and doctoral seminars.
Her scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications in areas such as international power transitions, human security, and energy diplomacy in the Mediterranean. She has also contributed to research on future food security scenarios in the Arab world. Alongside her research activities, she has served as a Teaching Assistant for courses including Public Relations and Current International Issues.
She has also participated in various international training programs and scholarships, including the CliVEx Climate Justice virtual exchange, as well as undertaking training at universities abroad, such as in France, thereby enhancing her academic background and language skills. She is currently a fellow at the Social Science Lab in Estonia.
 

Camilla Brazzale

I am a researcher, writer, and advocate with a specialisation in the MENA region. My work adopts postcolonial, decolonial, and transnational approaches to identity studies, situated at the intersection of history, literature, and cultural heritage. I examine how these dimensions shape both the construction and perception of the Self within MENA communities, both in their homelands and across contemporary diasporic contexts.
I recently graduated with an MA in Middle Eastern and North African Studies. My thesis, "Traditions and Local Identities within Global Paradigms: Transnational Trajectories of Deobandi Islam. A Case Study in the West Midlands, United Kingdom", explores the Deobandi community in diaspora, analysing the adaptation of local traditions and cultural identity within the framework of global modernity. This research challenges assimilationist narratives of collective identity, highlighting processes of self and collective empowerment and perception through a postcolonial and transnational lens.
I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures (English and Arabic). My undergraduate dissertation, "Watan: Evolution of the Term in Arabic Literature", investigates the semantic development of the concept of homeland across Arabic literary history - from the pre-Islamic qaṣīda to modern resistance poetry - with particular focus on the Palestinian context.
Beyond academia, I am the founder of the blog Arance e Fucili, where I publish articles, interviews, and reviews on Arabic and Palestinian literature in both English and Italian. 
I have contributed to various cultural projects centered on Palestinian cultural resistance by editing, writing, and translating literary pieces for magazines and digital platforms, as well as organising and speaking at public conferences.
Finally, I have a background in advocacy within the Palestinian Youth Movement of Italy, where I acted as the head of literary and artistic content and as the National Coordinator for campaigns and events.
 

Issam Eddine Gammoudi 

Issam Eddine Gammoudi is a seasoned Foreign Affairs Officer and Risk & Intelligence Analyst who has dedicated his career to deconstructing the geopolitical complexities of the MENA and Sahel regions. Currently serving as a Research Fellow with the Social Sciences Lab MENA and an Analyst at the Bloomsbury Intelligence and Security Institute, he balances the dual demands of high-level statecraft and rigorous intelligence mapping. His work centers on a volatile intersection: where irregular migration flows meet the calculated movements of extremist groups. This requires more than a simple mapping exercise; it involves translating the friction of ground-level smuggling routes into the actionable insights required by international decision-makers. 
​The tension in his profile lies in the transition from the letter of the law to the lived reality of security. After earning a Bachelor of Law from the University of Carthage, he pursued a Master’s in Democratic Governance and Human Rights, finishing third in his cohort. His dissertation on the rules for the use of force by Tunisian law enforcement suggests a preoccupation with a fundamental question: how does a state maintain order without sacrificing the very human rights it claims to protect? This academic inquiry found a sharp, contemporary edge in his Arabic-language critiques of Tunisia’s 2021 democratic institutions and his analysis of transitional justice following the Ben Ali era. These are not just historical records; they are interrogations of a political system in flux. 
​Now a Chevening Scholar at Birkbeck, University of London, he is finalizing an MSc in International Security and Global Governance with a focus on terrorism and hybrid warfare. This marks a pivot toward the "grey zone" of modern conflict, a theme that arguably began during his field research in Beirut, where he explored the intricacies of peace and conflict studies. His career is a collection of high-stakes accolades, including selections for both the Fulbright and Chevening programs, yet his most telling achievement might be his turn as the youngest speaker at the DEMOS Conference. There, lecturing on international human rights standards for law enforcement, he effectively bridged the gap between the classroom and the precinct. With certifications spanning from the Clingendael Institute to the UNODC, he operates where the theoretical limits of law meet the pragmatic necessities of regional security. 
 

Ahmed Hatim Rhabbour

Ahmed Hatim Rhabbour is a Moroccan researcher specializing in the intersection of labor Economics, Public Policy, and Political Economy. He holds an MBA from Al Akhawayn University with a distinguished GPA of 3.97,a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor in Public Law. This multidisciplinary foundation allows him to bridge the gap between rigorous legal frameworks and data-driven management strategies. 
Ahmed Hatim is a regular contributor to the Moroccan press, notably Al Ousboue Assahafi. His work advocates for the modernization of the Moroccan political landscape through the institutionalization of think tanks and the creation of "Policy Labs." He argues for a shift toward evidence-based policies  and the use of strategic intelligence to safeguard sovereign interests in a complex geopolitical environment.
At the grassroots level, Ahmed Hatim serves as the President of a youth-led association in Oulmes. Under his leadership, the association functions as a localized incubator for human capital, providing vocational mentorship, digital literacy, and professional branding for rural graduates. By applying behavioral insights to bridge the rural-urban employment gap, he is pioneering a model of territorial development designed to empower the youth of the Middle Atlas.
 

Osama Freihat

​Osama Freihat is an Engineer specializing in the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus and transboundary water diplomacy across the Middle East. He graduated at the top of his class from the Jordan University of Science and Technology and has since built a career navigating the intersection of technical resource management and regional cooperation, currently working with Blue Peace Middle East.

​His professional background includes serving as a Teaching Assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and co-authoring influential publications, including a policy brief with IHE Delft and a discussion brief with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). An alumnus of the IHE Delft Young Water Diplomats Programme and an elected council member of the Crown Prince Foundation’s Al Hussein Fellowship, he focuses on deconstructing the socio-political complexities to help build a more resilient and cooperative regional future.

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Shirin Assa

Shirin Assa is a postdoctoral researcher whose work sits at the crossroads of social anthropology and cultural and literary studies. Her scholarship focuses on intersectionality, belonging, and collective activism across Southwest Asia, North Africa, and their diasporic and transnational communities. Her doctoral research — awarded with distinction — proposed a methodological intervention: rather than asking what the Muslim woman's veil is, it develops a framework for how to study it as an intersectional lens. Her work has appeared in Signs, the Journal of the African Literature Association, the Irish Journal of Sociology, and Atlantis, among others.

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Isra Fagir

Isra Fagir is a Sudanese economist specialising in econometrics, financial markets, and Islamic economics. She holds an MSc in Islamic Economics and Finance from Sakarya University, Turkey, and a BSc in Finance and Banking Studies from the University of Dongola both completed with High Distinction in the top 1% of her cohort.

Her graduate research examined the impact of macroeconomic variables and global factors on the Sudanese stock market using quantile regression and time series analysis. She has lectured at the University of Dongola, teaching Statistics and Research Methods to undergraduate students. She is proficient in Stata, R, and Python, and has volunteered with the Sudanese Women Economics Association. Her current research interest focuses on fiscal and financial recovery in conflict-affected economies, with particular attention to Sudan and the broader MENA region.

Ahmed Alsultan

Ahmed Alsultan is a development professional specializing in climate policy, sustainable development, and public policy reform in Iraq and the MENA region. He holds a master's degree in Management of Development from the University of Turin and a postgraduate diploma in Development Policies and Practices from the Geneva Graduate Institute, as well as a bachelor's degree in Biology.

Ahmed has over ten years of experience working with international organizations, including UNICEF, UNDP, IOM, and DAI. He currently serves as a lLocal Project Manager for Iraq Policy Dialogue Project. His research focuses on climate justice, evidence-based policymaking, and sustainable livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable communities in Iraq.

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