Zinab Attai

Zinab Attai is a PhD student in the Department of Government at Cornell University, specializing in Comparative Politics. Her research interests encompass state building, rebel governance, and gender issues in conflict-affected regions, with a particular focus on Afghanistan. Currently, she is investigating the institutional legacies of both Soviet and U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and their impacts on social service provision.12

Attai, who identifies as an Afghan American from Northern Virginia, is in her third year of doctoral studies. She actively engages in mentorship and diversity initiatives on campus as a Dean's Scholar and works as a Graduate Research Fellow at the Gender and Security Sector Lab. In this role, she collaborates with organizations like UN Women to evaluate security sector institutions and enhance women's participation in peacekeeping missions.23

Before pursuing her PhD, Attai gained experience as an international survey researcher, managing projects across various countries including Afghanistan, Jordan, and South Africa. Her work has been recognized with support from notable institutions such as the National Science Foundation and the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.12 She has also contributed to academic literature, with publications in journals like the Journal of Conflict Resolution and Research and Politics.1

In her personal pursuits, Attai enjoys exploring coffee culture in Ithaca, biking, reading, and spending time with friends.2