Bio
Systems of knowledge production play a key role in shaping public policy and state-society relations. I apply my experiences in higher education, think tanks, community- and government-based organizations to bridge gaps between academia and public administration in the fields of civil rights and countering extremism.
Civil Service
Working within the nation’s first statewide Bias Response Program at the Department of Justice— designed to render public bodies more responsive to civil rights violations, and discrimination against protected classes—I focus on countering exclusionary extremism through survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches. My work includes:
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advocacy for victims of civil rights violations,
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data collection, design and implementation
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Identifying legislative gaps in Oregon state laws in relation to hate acts,
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liaising with public bodies, and
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providing training and educational workshops to government entities, community-based organizations and members of the public on state laws, best practices and resources.
In the greater Portland, Oregon area, I have also provided direct advocacy, educational outreach and program management in community-based programs, advocating for victims of hate, bias and discrimination within immigrant, refugee and war-impacted communities.
Academic Placements & Education
Previously, I was a research fellow at the Human Rights Center in Costa Rica and a research consultant for organizations and think tanks, including the United Nations—Economic & Social Commission of Western Asa (ESCWA) and Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. I was also a post-doctoral research fellow at the Central European University in Budapest and Vienna.
The first in my family lineage of immigrants and refugees to have access to higher education, I earned a BA in political science, an MA in international law and a PhD in Islamic studies from University of New England (AU), where I received the International Postgraduate Research Award for my doctoral studies. I write, lecture and provide workshops on my areas of academic and professional expertise.