Ula Merie

Dr. Ula Merie is an Associate at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies, part of the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA). Her work focuses on architectural humanities, post-war urban development, spatial justice, and the intersection of politics and ethics in urban environments. She holds a PhD in Architectural Theory from the University of Sheffield and an MSc in Urban Design from the University of Baghdad. Dr. Merie is actively involved in initiatives such as the Epidemic Urbanism Initiative and the Nahrein Network. Her research emphasizes Iraq and the broader Middle East, addressing topics like urban heritage preservation, socio-cultural transformations in cities, and youth engagement in safeguarding cultural heritage. She has been recognized with the IAICS Pioneer Awards in 2022.

Her current roles include serving on the management committee of the Nahrein Network and contributing to the Academic Research Institute in Iraq (TARII) as a Research Fellow (2022-2023). Dr. Merie has presented at conferences such as Heritage in Danger and IAICS Inline, discussing issues like heritage reconstruction and urban equity. Her work bridges architectural theory with practical urban challenges, particularly in conflict-affected regions.