Prior to joining the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (UAE) as the Senior Research Fellow leading the program in Economic Diplomacy, Dr Bakardzhievawas Associate Department Chair and Director of Graduate Programmes at the Department of Economics of the American University in Cairo (Egypt) and Chief Sustainability Consultant for Global Economics and Finance Consulting (Monaco). With a dual PhD in Economics from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis (France) and Sofia University (Bulgaria), Dr. Bakardzhieva has taught Economics and Sustainable Development in Bulgaria, France, Monaco, the United States, and Egypt. Her research interests focus on international economics, economic diplomacy, sustainability, comparative studies, and the MENA region. She is member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy.