Maryam Mirza

Maryam Mirza is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in journalism, program management, and activism, particularly focusing on gender issues and civil rights in Iran. Currently serving as a Research Fellow at Citizen Lab and Program Manager of Iran programs at NetFreedom Pioneers since early 2023, Maryam also contributes as a Gender and Inclusion Officer at the Volunteer Activists Institute, facilitating knowledge exchange among civil society activists. With a longstanding career in journalism, including a notable role at Deutsche Welle from 2010 to 2023, Maryam specialized in internet freedom and its impact on political change and human rights violations in Iran. Earlier, Maryam was involved with Reporter ohne Grenzen on the "Journalisten im Exil" project and served as a journalist and editorial board member at Zanan Magazine, advocating for women's rights until its closure by the Iranian regime in 2008. Maryam holds an educational background from the University of Tehran.