MEHRAN HAGHIRIAN
Dr. Mehran Haghirian is the Director of Regional Initiatives at the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation. His work centers on conflict resolution and diplomacy, with a particular focus on the Persian Gulf region. Haghirian holds a PhD in Gulf Studies from Qatar University and a master’s degree in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC. He has previously served as a researcher and assistant director at the Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences and a program assistant at the Atlantic Council's Future of Iran Initiative. Currently, Haghirian leads the Integrated Futures Initiative, a project focused on strengthening regional diplomacy and fostering economic cooperation in the Gulf, and the Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth, a project aimed at enhancing cooperation on climate transition and socioeconomic development between policy, commercial, and technical leaders from the Gulf and the Global South.
EDUCATION
August 2018 – May 2024
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GULF STUDIES
QATAR UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Doha, Qatar
Dissertation: Differentiating Foreign Policy Strategies in the Arabian Peninsula: The Decision-Making Calculus towards Iran
Most Distinguished Student, College of Arts and Sciences (Spring 2024)
GPA: 4.0/4.0
August 2015 – May 2017
MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Washington, DC
Thesis: Effectuating A Cooperative Future Between Iran and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf
June – July 2016
CERTIFICATE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND MULTILATERAL GOVERNANCE
GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF GENEVA
Geneva, Switzerland
August 2012 – May 2015
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PEACE STUDIES
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, WILKINSON COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Orange, CA
Honors: Sigma Iota Rho
January 2011 – May 2012
MAJORED IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
Boston, MA
September 2007 – June 2010
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
INSTITUT LE ROSEY
Rolle and Gstaad, Switzerland
