Growing up in the Caucasus region, a biodiversity hotspot with a complex political history, I have always been fascinated by the relationship between socio-political and economic factors, and the natural environment.

This shaped my interest in transboundary governance with respect to environmental issues and inspired my academic ambitions. I went on to complete a Bachelor´s degree in political science (Roosevelt University, Chicago, USA) and a Master´s degree in socio-ecological economics and policy (at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Vienna, Austria).

Before moving to Norway, I worked as an intern at the UNEP Vienna Office, carrying out data collection and research on different environmental and transboundary governance issues as well as co-authoring several publications. I also worked with the Institute for Ecological Urban Development, Vienna, producing the assessment of the effects of green spaces in urban areas. Furthermore, I facilitated the implementation of a project in the North Caucasus region focusing on integrating locals’ knowledge in rural sustainable development.

At GRID-Arendal, I work across a diverse range of projects of the Transboundary Governance and Environmental Crime program. This includes supporting the activities of the Tehran Convention and its Caspian Environmental Information Centre, as well as developing project concepts focused on sustainable blue economy, circular economy and environmental crime.