22 years progressive experience in academic institutions and non-profit/international organizations (World Bank, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and European Committee), 11 of which were in academic sectors with senior roles in teaching, research, service, and professional development. I was extensively involved in strategic planning, curriculum design and restructuring, conceptualization of new academic initiatives, scientific research and evaluation, partnerships with stakeholders on the national, regional, and international level, and team leadership and capacity building. A strong advocate of excellence in teaching and research, teamwork and collaborative approaches, university faculty’s role in societal progress and backed by a solid set of transferrable professional skills and competencies.

Dr. Esmat Zaidan works as an associate professor in public policy, planning and development at Qatar University. She holds a Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Management from University of Waterloo in Canada. She holds a Master in Urban Planning and Cities Design, and a Master in Applied Environmental Studies in  Economic Development and Innovation from University of Waterloo in Canada. Dr. Esmat bachelor degree is in civil engineering and has worked for the World Bank for more than eight years in many development projects in Jerusalem. Prior to joining Qatar University, she worked as assistant professor of Urban Sustainability at United Arab Emirates University, and as a lecturer of International Development at University of Waterloo. She has worked closely with many international development organizations, planners, and community members when conducting sustainability-oriented research in Toronto, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.

Dr. Esmat research focuses on smart transformation in urban planning and development, sustainable development planning , and urban sustainability. She also focuses on adaptation context for planning policies, transition to smart energy policies, and technological and human factors of the transition to sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability of development. She has published two books, 8 book-chapters, and a wider range of articles (more than 39) in top-tier journals (ISI/Scopus) by Elsevier, Sage, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis. She has conference papers in more than 15 countries.