Dr. Roula Maya was awarded her Ph.D. in Urbanism, "Knowledge and Practice," specializing in Management of Sustainable Urban Development Policies, from the University of Paris East, France, in 2003 with the highest honors. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Sharjah's College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in the United Arab Emirates. In her role, she imparts knowledge in a range of subjects, including Arab and Emirate Societies, Social and Cultural Change, Urban Sociology, Social Psychology, and Sustainable Development. Additionally, she supervises final research projects for undergraduates and contributes to the master’s Program and thesis supervising. Her research primarily explores Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Policies and Societies. With over 25 years of combined academic and practical expertise, Dr. Maya has developed a distinguished career as a specialist in Sustainable Urban & Regional Development, and Reconstruction Strategies. Her professional journey includes collaborations with various national and international bodies, such as UNDP, UN-ESCWA, and the EU, across Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Emirates and France. Her research is rooted in implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Maya is actively engaged in studies related to climate change, the future of cities and regions towards Net-Zero Carbon Cities (NZCCs). On 2023, Dr. Maya was honored with the First Prize for Sustainability from the UOS in UAE.