Beyond Technical Expertise: The Human Skills That Make a Difference

Please share a short biography

Dina Zabaneh is a political economist and development researcher specializing in labour market policies, gender relations, and inclusive economic development in the Arab Mediterranean region. She holds a PhD (magna cum laude) in Politics and Gender Relations from Philipps Universität Marburg and a Master’s in Financial Economics from Kingston University London. Her work integrates feminist, institutional, and political economy approaches to address employment systems, SME development, and refugee inclusion across the Middle East and Europe. Dina has led and managed EU-funded and international projects with organizations such as the ILO, KOICA, and the European Union, bridging research with policy implementation. She is fluent in Arabic and English, with working proficiency in German, and focuses on translating evidence into practical, gender-responsive policy solutions.

Please provide a short overview of your job and its relation to STEM. What is your current job? What is the field about?

I am a political economist and development practitioner working on labour markets, gender-responsive policy, and inclusive economic development across the Middle East and the EU. My role combines applied research, project management, and policy design to translate complex socio-economic challenges into practical programs and reforms.

My work sits at the intersection of social science, data-driven research, and applied policy design, which positions it firmly within STEM-informed development practice. By using mixed research methodologies, labour market analytics, and evaluation tools, I systematically analyse economic systems and translate findings into evidence-based interventions. This approach allows me to design scalable solutions for SMEs, entrepreneurship programs, and refugee inclusion initiatives through digital tools, monitoring frameworks, and innovation models. In parallel, my involvement in EU-funded and interdisciplinary projects connects social policy with technology, skills development, and emerging innovation ecosystems. Overall, while grounded in political economy, my work contributes directly to STEM through rigorous data analysis, systems thinking, and research-driven problem solving.

Who or what inspired you to follow this career path / start this job?

After completing my Master’s degree in 2016, I realized that there was a significant gap between academic theories and real-world applications. My hands-on experiences highlighted the disparities between how things are supposed to be and how they actually are. This is particularly evident in issues related to gender, migration, and minorities, which often do not align with prevailing theories and policies. As a result, I felt compelled to be part of a transnational change, actively contributing to the development of more inclusive solutions through scientific research, especially since I had personally navigated these transitions.

What does your typical working day look like?

It can be both fun and overwhelming. I meticulously plan my schedule down to the minute, yet in between, there is absolute chaos. I typically have multiple meetings and calls related to various projects I’m managing, along with preparing technical reports, strategizing for projects, and seeking out new and exciting research topics to explore and papers to write.

Please give an overview of your study path and how you got into this career. If you could start all over again, how you would change the career path? Has there been an educational experience (formal/informal/traineeship/...) that helped you? Did your colleagues follow similar study and career paths?

After completing my Master’s degree in Financial Economics, I embarked on a career in economic development across various countries and sectors. During this journey, a project with the International Labour Organisation made me realize that there is still much theoretical and practical knowledge to explore, particularly concerning developing economies and the integration of minorities. This realization inspired my PhD focus on politics and gender relations.

While I wouldn’t change my career path, I would be more selective about the projects I undertake, aligning them more closely with my interests. Initially, I accepted as many projects as I could, which left me feeling distracted and overwhelmed. 

As I mentioned, both my Master’s and PhD programs have significantly enhanced my knowledge. However, I firmly believe that true educational experiences stem from fieldwork, engaging directly in grassroots efforts, visiting diverse locations, and expanding research to include a wide array of perspectives. This approach ensures fair results and helps me understand the world through others' experiences.

What are the professional & personal key skills needed to do your job?

Every analytical skill is essential, including analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. When it comes to business skills, their importance varies by field and profession. For me, analysis, management, and development rank the highest. 

In terms of communication skills, I have found editing, presentations, and social skills particularly useful, especially while working on my PhD research. Regarding IT, artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront, but the necessary skills can vary greatly depending on the specific area of focus. Personally, I have benefited the most from programming software like R+, which is geared towards economic analysis.

In other skill categories, management has been crucial to my career development. Leadership, negotiation, and people management are all equally important. However, I would note that these skills have developed over more than a decade of experience and continue to evolve more quickly than other skills. 

Moreover, although I was never particularly strong in marketing or related areas, I believe it is essential for everyone to have a basic understanding of public relations, especially when pursuing a research career. 

Finally, in terms of personal skills, I would emphasize adaptability, particularly when working on regional and international projects or in different locations. This adaptability should be closely paired with effective time management.

What types of jobs & industry sectors can you work in, with your skills?

My career prospects include postdoctoral research at universities, research centers, a wide range of NGOs focused on economic development, and private sector consultancies.

What are the main challenges in your job?

I believe the challenges I face in my career reflect broader issues in the political and economic landscape. These challenges include a lack of diversity and representation, the struggle to make a real impact, and the tendency to rely on standardized results and indicators. These are significant hurdles that will require serious and collective efforts to overcome and change.

What is your advice to students?

I would tell students, you do not have to decide everything right away, and you do not have to figure out your career path by the time you are 22. I advise you to explore all the things you like, even if it seems hard or weird at times. Pursue the unpopular projects; this is where you can make a difference and choose a career path that will make you happy, not one that is expected of you.

How can teachers and parents support their students / children?

For teachers and parents, I would say do not engage in a one strategy helps or fits all students or children. Work with each individual based on the input they show you and share with you. Also, try to find where their hobbies, talents, and skills lie. Our current education system is still very rigid in terms of what it has to offer, and may even be considered traditional, and thus, you need to find creative paths to allow everyone a space to harness the best of their potential in their own way.