Research Consultant At Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
Hounaida Abi Haidar is a research consultant with extensive experience in research project management, academic teaching, and knowledge exchange. She has collaborated with national and international organizations in public and private sectors to develop policy recommendations, implement sustainability initiatives, and conduct research projects across Lebanon, the UAE, and Ireland. Her expertise includes research coordination, proposal writing, funding applications, and report production. She has provided training in environmental practices, sustainability, and research portfolio development. Additionally, she has taught at multiple universities, developing and delivering courses in sustainability, environmental governance, and research methodologies.
Professional Profiles
Education
Hounaida Abi Haidar holds a PhD in Urban & Environmental Governance from Trinity College Dublin, where her research focused on governance in urban planning. She earned an MSc in Nature, Society & Environmental Policy from Oxford University, specializing in environmental water management and urban development. She also holds a BSc in Environmental Sciences from the American University of Beirut, with concentrations in health services administration, toxicology, and epidemiology. Her academic background is complemented by extensive research experience in policy advising and systematic literature reviews.
Professional Experience
With over two decades of experience, Hounaida has held various research and academic roles. As a research consultant, she has produced reports for international organizations, advised on community engagement projects, and trained institutions in sustainability. At the University of Maynooth, she supported research project management for 18 researchers and liaised with funding agencies. Her tenure at the University of Ottawa involved managing research projects and conducting bilingual workshops on scientific writing. She has also worked as a lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, Modul University Dubai, and Zayed University, teaching courses on environmental sustainability and research methodologies.
Research Interest
Hounaida’s research interests span urban and environmental governance, sustainability policies, and health-related research. She is particularly focused on the intersection of policy implementation and community engagement, investigating best practices in environmental sustainability, education, and healthcare. Her work examines governance structures in urban planning, sustainable enterprise development, and social determinants of health. She is also interested in Indigenous health education, anti-racism content integration, and pediatric health screening tools, contributing to interdisciplinary research that informs public policy and institutional frameworks.
Research Skills
Hounaida possesses advanced research skills, including project coordination, grant writing, systematic and scoping reviews, and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. She is adept at preparing funding applications, designing research protocols, and submitting research ethics applications. Her expertise extends to manuscript and report writing, data analysis using NVivo and SPSS, and research documentation. She also has proficiency in using reference management software such as Zotero and Covidence. Her multilingual abilities in English, French, and Arabic enhance her research collaborations across diverse regions.
Awards and Honors
Hounaida has received prestigious awards, including the Trinity College Ussher International Fellowship, which funded her PhD studies with a full tuition waiver and stipend. She was also awarded the Young Investigator 1st Award at the Congres d’Oncologie du Moyen Orient (COMO), recognizing her outstanding research contributions in oncology. Additionally, she has successfully secured research grants from institutions such as the University of Ottawa and Zayed University, enabling her to contribute to critical studies in healthcare, sustainability, and education.
Conclusion
Hounaida Abi Haidar is a distinguished research consultant and academic with a wealth of experience in project management, policy advising, and teaching. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans environmental governance, sustainability, and health research, making her a valuable asset to institutions seeking to advance knowledge and policy development. Through her research, publications, and training initiatives, she continues to contribute to academic and professional communities globally. Her commitment to fostering sustainable and impactful research solutions underscores her role as a leader in her field.
Publications Top Notes
Title: “Like an umbrella, protecting me from the rain until I get to my destination”: Evaluating the implementation of a tailored primary care model for urban marginalized populations
Authors: S. Khorsand, C. Geller, A. Eyre, M. Kabir, A. McLellan
Year: 2024