Liyan Alkawafhah is a Circassian-Jordanian dedicated to advancing understanding and dialogue on Middle Eastern politics, with a focus on social change, education reform, and resettlement policy. She holds a bachelor’s degree with distinction in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Calgary, where she was awarded the esteemed Daughters for Life scholarship.
She has been actively involved in volunteer work in refugee camps across Jordan, where she supported displaced populations and gained hands-on experience addressing challenges at the intersection of social policy and education. Her work included teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to non-native speakers, bridging cultural divides and empowering individuals through language education.
Currently, Liyan is pursuing a master’s degree in Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. In her role at the Middle East Center, she combines her academic expertise and practical experience to contribute to the Center’s mission of promoting critical engagement with the region through research, outreach, and education.