Shayan is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Sulaimani. She holds a Master of Science in Advanced Sustainable Design from the University of Edinburgh, with further foundational background and professional experience as an architectural engineer. Shayan passionately uplifts her community by actively working towards a just transition, promoting equitable development through sustainable practices. She is currently engaged in primary research on extractive economies and harmful emissions in Iraq, with a focus on Kirkuk, investigating the internal dynamics that hinder progress toward equitable outcomes in the energy transition. Previously, Shayan has focused on applying circular economy and sustainable principles to post-conflict reconstruction, with a concentration on sustainable development and economic and community resilience following conflict. Shayan takes an intersectional approach, emphasizing community empowerment, integrating local people into environmental governance, and fostering sustainable urban development through innovative and inclusive solutions grounded in evidence-based practices.