Introduction

Dr. Ornanong Husna Benbourenane is a Professor of Practice at the College of Humanity and Social Science, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Northern Illinois University and MIA in International Political Economy from Columbia University.

Dr. Husna is a former diplomat at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she worked over two decades specializing in economic and political relations at various divisions, including International Economic Cooperation, South Asia, Middle East, and North America. She had been posted at the Thai embassies in Abu Dhabi and, later, in Muscat where she served as Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission.

Having received the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship, Dr. Husna worked for Rep. James McDermott in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 112^th Congress in 2011. Prior to joining ZU, she taught at Abu Dhabi University from 2015-2018.