Sondoss Lemjid

About me:

I am a PhD candidate in Middle East Politics at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter. My research focuses on the investment strategies of Gulf countries, particularly Qatar.

Prior to pursuing my doctoral studies, I obtained a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Turin, Italy (2020), specialising in the Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. My master’s thesis examined the relationship between oil and conflict in South Sudan. I was then awarded a scholarship for the Master’s program in Global Marketing, Communication, and ‘Made in Italy’. I was selected based on my outstanding academic performance.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Political and Social Sciences at the University of Turin, Italy (2017). My dissertation explored the response of Muslims living in Italy to Islamic terrorism in Europe from 2015 to 2017.

Research Project:

My doctoral research examines the investment strategies of Qatar, with a particular focus on Qatar’s politics, economics, and social systems. The study will provide a comparative analysis of Qatar’s investments in different countries and sectors, considering the motivations behind these investments, the selected countries and sectors, and the impact on both Qatar and the recipient countries. By conducting in-depth case studies and analysing the perceptions of relevant stakeholders, this research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the complex dynamics of Qatar’s investment strategies.

Research Supervisory team:

Dr Marc Valeri (associate Professor in Political Economy of the Middle East)

Dr Claire Beaugrand (lecturer in Sociology of the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula)

Research Wider Research Interests:

International Relations

Transnational Sociology

Gulf Politics

Political Economy of the Gulf

Natural Resources and Economic Diversification

International Investments

International Trade

Professional/research experience:

November 2021 September 2022

Stovax, Exeter (UK)

French Export Coordinator

My responsibilities encompassed a wide range of tasks, from streamlining order processing to delivering exceptional after-sales service and offering valuable customs advice.

March 2021 November 2021

Alison Croce, Teignmouth (UK)

Development Officer

During my position as a Development Officer at The Alice Cross Centre, I actively contributed to the organisation's growth and modernisation through various initiatives. My key accomplishments include:

-IT development: facilitated the implementation of online systems and calendars to simplify communication between teams and improve the efficiency of task management. In addition, designed and developed spreadsheets improving the overall organisation of data and updated the Outlook calendar with essential events, ensuring that the team remained informed and aligned with organisational activities. Finally, created monthly online newsletters and brochures, expanding access to information on the organisation's activities and engaging a wider audience.

-Strengthening partnerships and networks: established valuable connections with key stakeholders and professionals in health and social services through platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook. This effort significantly increased the organisation's visibility and fostered opportunities for collaboration. Furthermore, developed meaningful contacts with GPs, NHS facilities, wellness centres and support centres for vulnerable people. This has allowed us to effectively connect citizens with the resources best suited to their specific needs.

-Project coordination and management: led and coordinated several key projects from start to finish, ensuring that results were delivered in a timely and high-quality manner.

October 2019 December 2019

Chamber of Commerce, Turin (Italy).

During my internship at the Chamber of Commerce, I had a wonderful opportunity to be involved in various aspects of the organisation's work. I focused on exploring international markets and helping Italian companies expand into new markets. It was an enriching experience where I got to use advanced software tools like Euromonitor International and Passport to analyze the Russian and Middle Eastern markets in depth.

Some key highlights of my internship include:

-Market Analysis: I conducted thorough research on the Russian and Middle Eastern markets, examining economic trends, consumer behaviour, and market potential. This valuable information provided Italian businesses with insights to guide their expansion strategies.

-Halal Market Research: recognising the growing importance of the halal market globally, I delved into extensive research to understand its dynamics and potential for Italian companies.

October 2019

Chamber of Commerce, Turin (Italy).

Turin Islamic Economic Forum (TIEF): member of the conference organisation.

September 2019 September 2019

Campus Einaudi, University of Turin (Italy)

June 2019

Campus Einaudi, University of Turin (Italy)

Workshop Africa on the Move: certificate in 'Introduction to Contemporary Africa - Social Studies Perspective'.

March 2019 April 2019

United Nations, New York City (USA)

I had the privilege of participating as a representative of the Government of Yemen in the "Change the World Model" held at the United Nations USA. This event provided me with a unique opportunity to simulate the General Assembly and actively engage in diplomatic discussions, policy formulation and collaboration with representatives from diverse backgrounds and cultural environments. Tasks and skills acquired:

-Information management: as a representative, I played a crucial role in assisting in the preparation, and writing of important policy statements. This involved in-depth research and analysis of complex global issues, ensuring accurate and impactful communication to promote constructive dialogue among delegates.

-Cross-cultural representation: serving as a representative of Yemen's government required me to immerse myself in the country's interests, values and policies. I was able to identify with and represent the views of Yemen while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity and diplomacy in international relations.

-Diplomatic negotiation: working within a simulation involving different states with different ideologies and political approaches allowed me to develop strong negotiation skills. I actively engaged in diplomacy and consensus building to promote collaboration and reach mutually beneficial solutions to complex global challenges.

-Conflict resolution: The 'Change the World Model' provided a platform to activate negotiation projects to resolve conflicts and address pressing global issues. I gained valuable experience in navigating diplomatic channels and finding common ground between different perspectives.

to present

Foreign Languages

I have lived and studied in France, Italy, Morocco, and the UK, and I can speak the following languages fluently:

Arabic (Native Speaker)
Italian (Native Speaker)
English (Fluent)
French (Fluent)

Education:

January 2022 January 9999

University of Exeter (UK)

PhD in Middle East Politics

Thesis title: Qatar Investment Strategies

Supervisors: Dr Marc Valeri and Dr Claire Beaugrand

January 2017 January 2020

University of Turin (Italy)

MA in International Sciences, specialising in Middle Eastern and North African Politics. First-Class (cum laude).

Thesis title: South Sudan: The Story of an Oil Curse

Supervisor: Dr Armao Fabio

January 2014 January 2017

University of Turin (Italy)

BA in Social and Political Sciences. First-Class.

Thesis title: The Muslim Response to Islamic Terrorism

Supervisor: Dr Anna Caffarena

Professional Development:

2019-09-00

Conferences/Symposiums-International Conference in Re-enchanting the World: Spiritualities and Religions of the third Millennium

Speaker at the conference.

2019-06-00

Conferences/Symposiums-TO-ASEAN Business Days at the Chamber of Commerce

Participation at the event for public and private stakeholders interested in South-East Asia, with the objective of promoting regional awareness, fostering valuable networking opportunities, and facilitating business and investment collaborations.