Moayad works at the Centre of Contemporary Studies in Um El Fahm. He is concerned by the lack of formal training in social research in Israel and feels there is a strong need for formally qualified people in social research in Israel. Additionally, he is concerned by the under-representation of Palestinian students in postgraduate social science education in Israel which prevents the society’s ability to develop and prosper. He wants to be involved in improving the representation of Arab academics in Israel.
Luna is an attorney specialising in criminal and military law in her own private law office defending detainees and prisoners. She has always been interested in prisoners’ and women’s’ rights and has worked with the Arab minority and low income detainees in Israel and unconventional cases in the US, including Guantanamo prisoners and capital punishment cases. She has been involved in implementing a UN resolution that addresses the impact of war on women. Luna plans to further pursue her education and eventually do a post-doctorate in International Human Rights, professionally she intends to seek more legal consultancy from prominent international human rights organisations and become an expert in this area.
Shahar’s work for “Zalul”, which aims to protect the seas, rivers and water sources in Israel has given him a strong awareness of environmental issues and the need for regional and international cooperation. He believes that his Master’s degree, focusing on environmental sustainability and other environmental issues, plus his legal background, will help him to develop environmental awareness, legislation and enforcement in the Middle East. He hopes to advance practical environmental solutions whilst creating an ongoing public awareness and dialogue on environmental issues.
Michael has a varied work background, which includes working with MK Ilan Gilon from the Meretz party and for the European Friends of Israel, fundraising for an NGO for social change, emissary work in the US and teaching at-risk youth. This experience, plus an academic background in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies, has led him to believe that public policy making in Israel, including security policy, must include educational, economic and social aspects – in short, a multidisciplinary approach. Following his studies, he hopes to apply his skills and knowledge to improve the process of policy-making in Israel.
Aysha was introduced to issues of public health during her graduate studies in epidemiology in Haifa University. She has since spent time in the USA on an internship. Following her studies in Edinburgh Aysha plans to raise awareness of public health issues in particular in the Arab sector which is facing an increase in diabetes, heart disease and specific types of cancer. She is interested in the global public health arena and hopes to become involved in disease surveillance and policy making to stop the spread of communicable diseases worldwide.
Yael is a Practicing lawyer specializing in commercial and corporate litigation, in a top-tier Israeli law firm in Tel-Aviv. Yael has a double undergraduate degree in laws (LLB) and Communication and Journalism (BA) from the Hebrew university in Jerusalem. Aside from practicing law as an advocate in the commercial field, Yael has also gained legal experience as a volunteer for the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing democracy and good governance in Israel. She has rich research experience in both law and social sciences: she was a member of the Editorial Board of the Faculty Law Review (“Mishpatim”), and was also a research assistant in large research projects on judicial disqualification and the constitutional status of the parliamentary opposition in Israel. Yael’s main interests are the critical legal studies and the interdisciplinary approach to law research (and specifically: law and literature and law and gender), and she wishes to further develop her research skills in those fields during her LLM studies in UCL.
Tomer has a wide experience in the field of education, and strongly believes in education as a means for making large-scale social changes. In the past years Tomer has worked as an advisor to the Israeli Minister of Education, focusing on youth and informal education policies, coexistence methods and immigrant students' empowerment. As a former guide in a youth movement and educator with youth at risk, he finds a great value and potential in young people's leadership and devotion. After his studies, he intends to make a contribution to the area of social education, integrating formal and informal educational methods in schools and the community.
Manar’s experience as part of a minority group in Israel impelled him to study the history and politics on the Middle East as part of a quest for his identity. His innovative PhD research combines literary production, politics and the definitions of locality in an attempt to trace how the different political and cultural contexts in which the Palestinians have lived have shaped their identity. Manar is committed to advancing the cause of peace in the Middle East, and has participated in many shared Palestinian and Israeli student activities in Israel and abroad.
Or’s personal experiences led her to a deep interest and involvement in Israel foreign policy and international strategy. Initially, she became involved in shaping the Israeli public agenda through journalism. During her time in the Israeli Embassy’s press department, she dabbled in diplomacy and foreign policy. Later on, with an interest in nuclear strategy and nuclear testing and noting the increasing nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, Or decided to pursue War Studies. Her research will focus on regional security and nuclear proliferation studies, of great importance to the Middle East and at the heart of global developments.
Eran’s background is in the public sector, both in NGOs and in politics, having been elected as the Head of Young Labour in Jerusalem and as its international Secretary and working as an advisor to Knesset members. He believes that involvement in politics is important, and that moral values should always guide one’s actions in the political arena. Eran hopes that his studies will give him a broad perspective on the problems and challenges faced by governments and countries in the 21st century, while enabling him to build up a network of like-minded public servants from all over the world.
Amit is an established figure in the media, covering the Knesset and parliamentary life in Israel. In almost a decade he has focused most of his attention on the fight against corruption and unethical behaviour in the Israeli political arena. With a strong belief in a free press, bi-partisanship and impartiality, Amit has brought to the public eye many scoops and investigative reports. He hopes that his studies will provide him with a wider knowledge in politics, policy and media which he will be able to implement in his work.
As a practicing lawyer and qualified Legal Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ohad deals with some of the most pressing and significant areas of modern international law, including human rights and humanitarian and refugee issues. Committed to a career in the Foreign Service, Ohad hopes that his studies in international law, focusing on the interplay of international law and politics, will further enable him to effect significant change in public policy and improve people’s lives.
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