Mena joined Social Life as a researcher in April 2023. Prior to this role Mena worked as an architectural assistant for Article 25, where she gained experience in delivering community-centred projects across the global south. Through this work, she developed a strong interest in how interventions in the built environment can actively contribute to economic resilience, promote social sustainability and improve wellbeing.
Mena holds an MSc in Urban Economic Development from UCL, her research thesis focused on the challenges of the rentier state paradigm in Iraqi Kurdistan, which reflects her passion for exploring complex social and economic issues in a global context.
Since joining Social Life, Mena has contributed to projects including assessing council-owned buildings in Hackney and carrying out a fourth round of social sustainability assessments in South Acton.
