Walid al-Saqaf

Walid AL-SAQAF is an Associate Professor in Journalism at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and Södertörn University, specializing in digital media and technology, with a focus on graduate education and research connecting journalism and digital innovation, particularly in the Middle East. AL-SAQAF has extensive experience in researching the impact of technology on media and journalism, including data journalism and blockchain technology, while leading courses on digital research and press freedom. AL-SAQAF also holds roles as an Associate Editor for the Frontiers in Blockchain Journal, a tutor for the Internet Governance Course in the MENA region at DiploFoundation, and is the founder and owner of YemenPortal.net. Additional contributions include co-founding Tech4Development Sweden Ekf, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Internet Society, chairing the ICANN Middle East and Adjoining Countries Strategy Working Group, and founding alkasir, a website censorship tracking solution. AL-SAQAF earned a PhD in Communication and Media Studies and a Master's in Global Journalism from Örebro University, and a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Middle East Technical University.