Sumaya is a social and public policy researcher and her expertise is in the field of gender and terrorism studies in Saudi Arabia. She researched the phenomenon of Saudi women migrating to the Islamic State (ISIS) group, exploring the concepts of family and generational continuity within this context.
Studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland provided Sumayah with the right skills and critical thinking in research, especially when it comes to intersecting conceptual tools with social phenomena. During her time at the University of St Andrews, Sumaya co-authored her first publication in a chapter of a book exploring the development of new Saudi nationalism in the age of new media.
Sumaya is currently on secondment from the Decision Support Center, leading policy and content for the Saudi Tourism Commission G20 track. Her diverse research experience enriches her social and public policy approach in a multi-disciplinary manner.