Aleena Shah serves as an Assistant Research Officer at the Afghanistan Program of the Institute of Regional Studies.

Holding a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies, her expertise lie in conflict resolution, discourse analysis, visual politics and security studies. She has contributed to several publications, demonstrating her ability to bridge the gap between academia and problem solving effectively.

Having closely collaborated with Afghanistan through the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Aleena has undertaken an official visit to Kabul, fostering valuable relationships with Afghan counterparts and gaining firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities in the Afghan context. These experiences have honed her skills in diplomacy, negotiation and intercultural communication.