Doris Awwad

Senior Expert Researcher of MENA countries

Doris Awwad is a Senior Expert Researcher of MENA countries and a gender, human-rights and development specialist with over 17 years of experience across conflict and post-conflict settings. Her regional expertise includes Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.

Her work focuses on gender equality, development, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, peacebuilding and inclusive governance. She has supported civil society organisations, initiatives and movements working in complex political environments.

Doris combines field experience with strategic research, conducting contextualised gender, political and rights-based analysis and designing gender-responsive strategies, peacebuilding frameworks and inclusive programmes. She has led advocacy efforts on women’s rights and participation and contributes political dynamics analysis, policy briefs and timely updates for programming, advocacy and legal interventions.

Her peacebuilding work includes integrating women’s voices in transitional justice, facilitating dialogue processes and promoting inclusive policy frameworks. She also works with regional collaborators, researchers and activists to support context-specific and culturally relevant perspectives across other MENA settings.

Doris completed a Master’s degree in Gender and Global Politics at SOAS, University of London, where her thesis considered the gendered consequences of international sanctions on Syrian women. She also holds a BA in Business Administration from Bethlehem University and works in English and Arabic through training, workshops and research.