Paula Rubeiz

I am a research postgraduate working on a PhD focused on water and energy in the Middle East and their role in preventing or escalating conflict. My research aims to explore the critical intersections of resource management, regional stability, and cooperation, contributing to a deeper understanding of conflict prevention and sustainable development in the region.

Prior to starting my PhD, I completed an MA in International Affairs at King’s College London, where my dissertation examined the protection of women and children in conflict zones. I also hold a BA in Political Science from the American University of Beirut.

I have over 20 years of experience volunteering with NGOs, contributing to humanitarian initiatives in conflict-affected areas. Professionally, I am an accredited journalist based in Dubai Media City and a published author of two Arabic poetry books. I am also the owner of a retail company, where I have cultivated leadership and strategic planning skills.

Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, my work bridges linguistic and cultural divides. My academic and professional experiences have deepened my commitment to exploring critical global challenges through research and practice.

• Water and energy security: Exploring the management of water and energy resources in the Middle East and their role in preventing or escalating conflict.

*Conflict and resource management: Investigating how resource scarcity and mismanagement contribute to conflict and how sustainable practices can promote peace.

*Environmental justice and sustainability: Examining the equitable distribution of resources and the impact of environmental policies on vulnerable communities.

*Postcolonial studies and development: Analyzing the legacy of colonialism on resource allocation and infrastructure in conflict-prone regions.

*Humanitarian studies: Studying the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, in conflict zones and their access to essential resources.

*Global cooperation and policy: Exploring transboundary water and energy policies and their role in fostering regional and international cooperation.

*Middle Eastern studies: Focusing on the geopolitical and social dynamics of resource management in the Middle East.