Samyah Alfoory

Former Research Associate

Samyah Alfoory is a former research associate at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Samyah Alfoory graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s degree in Arab Studies, concentrating on the Gulf and gender. Her past research includes a project for the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in which she examined women’s agency in the Bahraini uprisings of 2011, a project which examined military expenditures in the Arab Gulf as they relate to post-Arab Spring political developments for BAE Systems, and field research conducted in Kuwait among second-generation migrants which focused on citizenship and gender and how the two intersect to impact young women’s lives.

Samyah was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Kuwait from 2012 to 2013, during which she conducted extensive fieldwork to examine women’s groups and activism within the opposition movement. She obtained her bachelors’ degree from Colorado State University in Political Science. She has previously worked as a news writer, translator, and a freelance journalist.

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Feedwise: Nourishing Society in Kuwait

Feedwise is attempting to tackle a variety of issues, from feeding the hungry to addressing environmentally stressed areas to raising mental health awareness.

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Embrace Doha: Generating Cross-Cultural Dialogue in Qatar

Embrace Doha began with the simple idea that a two-way dialogue can create sustainable friendships and connections, and at the same time aid in the preservation of Qatar’s traditional identity as it undergoes intense development and transformation.

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Transforming Art in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province: LOUD Art and Huna Art

In 2012, Raneen Bukhari had graduated from university and was back home in Khobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

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Riyadh Writing Club: Empowering Female Writers

When Hala Abdullah started the Riyadh Writing Club with her best friend, Mashael Alblehed, in 2009, they had in mind an easy way to meet and get inspired by other writers.

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Al Balad: Raising the Bar for Omani News

Oman’s first online newspaper, Al Balad, is run by a group of local youth: Turki Al-Balushi, Ali-Alansari, Noora Almeer, Rahma Al-Judaili, Firas Altubi, Salah Al-Balushi, Rahma Alsawafi, Talib Alabri, and Ghalib Alabri.

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Maitham Al Musawi: Storytelling from Oman through Film

Maitham Al Musawi is a rarity in Oman. In addition to being an orthopedic surgeon, he is an award winning independent filmmaker.

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Sirdab Lab: Cultivating a Startup Community in Kuwait

Since its inception, Sirdab Lab has hoped to positively impact Kuwait’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, aiming to become a hub and gathering space for all the country’s startups and entrepreneurs.

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Intellect Jeddah: Educating Youth in the Kingdom

Intellect Jeddah is a grassroots organization initiated by young Saudi women Renad Amjad, Amna Fatani, Refaa Sindi, Jawaher Abbar, and Orjwan Alomari, with an eye toward creating a thriving intellectual environment in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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Portrait of a Nation: UAE Artists Explore Unity

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) is offering visitors to the “Portrait of a Nation” exhibit an opportunity to view the work of 20 Emirati artists reflecting on the organization’s legacy, as well as the unique culture and identity of the United Arab Emirates.