Biography

I am an international civil servant, a global nomad and a *policy* activist. I come from Sudan, I was born in the UAE, and grew up in Scotland. I have an LLM in Natural Resources Law and Policy and for the past 8 years have been working with the UN in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, and volunteering with the Darfur Development and Reconstruction Agency (DDRA). My career focus is on advising governments on the design and implementation of natural resources laws and policies that better serve the poor. Has my mission been successful? In part, yes, but I admit it is still a work in progress. I am grateful to the Gates Cambridge for recognising the importance of my pledge and commitment to action. My PhD will research the role of international law in helping communities, in border dispute areas, access and use natural resources and exercise their *transboundary* right to food, subsistence and property. I reject the notion that holds political instability or state fragility as an excuse not to secure human rights for those living at the margins. Thanks to the Gates Cambridge, I have an opportunity to pursue my commitment further through my PhD. It is an absolute honour to be joining the Cambridge community as a Gates Scholar. I look forward to reporting on the success of my mission over the next 3 years!

Previous Education

University of Dundee
Ahfad University for Women