Experts on countries of origin by country

Nicola Bulled is a public health anthropologist. Her scholarship interrogates health inequalities, using mixed methods to examine the intersection of biology with the social to offer multi-level perspectives on public health programming, service delivery, and policy. Her specific fields of interest include HIV, infectious diseases, disease prevention technologies, health communication, and community collaboration.  She has engaged in research and public health programming in South Africa, Lesotho, Liberia, Greece, and the United States. Her research has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Fulbright IIE. 

Andrea Chiovenda is an adjunct assistant professor of anthropology at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He received his PhD in anthropology from Boston University in 2015. His ethnographic fieldwork research was carried out in Afghanistan from 2009 until 2013, and again in 2016, and focused on the psychological impact of cultural norms of masculinity among Pashtun men. In 2020, Dr. Chiovenda published a book based on this research, entitled Crafting Masculine Selves: Culture, War and Psychodynamics in Afghanistan (Oxford University Press, 2020), which won the 2021 Boyer Prize for contributions to psychoanalytic anthropology, from the Society for Psychological Anthropology. Additionally, he published several articles and book chapters in peer-reviewed academic journals and edited volumes on conflict, violence, and gender relations in Afghanistan. Since 2016, Dr. Chiovenda has been carrying out original ethnographic research in Greece, investigating the psychological impact of the migratory experience among Afghan refugees in the country. 

Dimitris Dalakoglou is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is one of the top cited authors on Balkan studies and Eastern European studies. His research focuses on Albania and Greece and he has authored over a hundred publications including expert reports, book monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and documentary films. His research has been featured in several international media including the Guardian, Channel 4, Washington Times. He is a COI expert for Albania and Greece since 2014 in the Right to Exile Programme and has provided expertise reports since 2008.

With a robust foundation in international relations, law, and political science, I am a distinguished expert witness specializing in Balkan affairs. My career is characterized by a deep commitment to understanding the intricate geopolitical dynamics and legal frameworks that shape this vibrant region. My academic pursuits culminated in a prestigious certification in Law from the University of Oxford, where I honed my expertise in international law, human rights, and cross-border legal issues. Professionally, I have collaborated with NATO on defense and international policy initiatives, providing valuable insights into Balkan geopolitics. My participation in European Union election conferences has allowed me to engage in high-level discussions on the political shifts affecting the region. Additionally, my roles as a Leasing Administrator and Legal Advisor have equipped me with practical experience in legal documentation and corporate governance. Driven by a passion for advancing understanding in the complex political landscape of the Balkans, I leverage my extensive education and practical experience to provide expert testimony and consultancy in this dynamic field.

Melissa Chiovenda is an assistant professor of anthropology at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi. She has  been conducting research in Afghanistan since 2009. Dr. Chiovenda’s  main research in Afghanistan concerned ethnic Hazara civil society movements and the transmission of cultural trauma. Her earlier research in Afghanistan concerned Pashtun women who were working with Western NGOs. She has a PhD from the University of Connecticut in anthropology, an MA from Georgetown University in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies with a Certificate in Refugees and Humanitarian Crises, and a BS in Russian Language and Literature from Georgetown University. Since 2016, She has been conducting research on the political identity of Afghan, mainly Hazara, refugees in Greece and Italy. She has also started projects concerning the Hazara genocide of the late 1800s, and sexual violence historically and currently experienced by Hazara women.

Prior to working in academia, Dr. Chiovenda was a high school teacher in South Los Angeles. She also worked for United States exchange programs in Russia, was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and spent a summer teaching children at an organization in Nablus, West Bank.

The Expert is a former Independent Contractor for the U.S. Embassy in London, specializing in political and media monitoring, screening, and translation. With a background that includes roles in both administration and education, the Expert has also served as a Lecturer at university colleges in Kosovo. His career reflects a broad range of experience in political monitoring and related fields.

As a country of origin expert witness, he has authored over 50 expert reports in the past three years and brings 22 years of professional experience to the role.

The Expert is a former Independent Contractor (political and media monitor/screener and translator) for the US Embassy in London. The Expert has held various roles in education and political monitoring, including serving as a Lecturer at the European College Dardania in Kosovo and working as an Independent Contractor for the US Embassy in London, showcasing his diverse professional experience in the field.

The Chief Political Adviser to the Former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Professor Qirezi has contributed to various international projects, such as the Human Security in the Balkans initiative, funded by the European Union, showcasing their commitment to regional stability and development. Their research interests extend to power-sharing systems and the dynamics of post-conflict reconstruction, with published works in reputable academic presses. The expert has also engaged in public policy training for organizations like the National Democratic Institute and the OSCE, emphasizing their dedication to enhancing democratic governance. Additionally, they have experience in media, having worked as a columnist and journalist, which complements their analytical skills in political communication. Their extensive involvement in both academia and practical governance positions them as a well-rounded authority in political science and international relations.