Elizabeth Heyes, Junior Fellow, Technology

Elizabeth Heyes is a Junior Fellow – Technology and Innovation Policy at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Middle East. Her research explores how emerging technologies intersect with governance, trade, and digital transformation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. She focuses on issues such as data governance, AI strategies and international connectivity in sustainable technologies and digital infrastructure.

Before joining ORF ME, Elizabeth worked at Asia House, a London-based think tank and advisory firm focused on Asia–Gulf commercial, trade and investment relations. There, she authored reports on GCC AI regulation, GCC-Asia cooperation in sustainability and the energy transition and organised high-level dialogues in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai bringing together policymakers, investors and executives to discuss innovation and trade partnerships.

Earlier in her career, Elizabeth worked in documentary production, conducting field research and interviews with ministers and business leaders across the GCC on topics related to digital transformation, economic diversification and technology adoption.

Elizabeth holds a BA in Modern Languages (Arabic and French) from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Security, Intelligence, and Strategic Studies from the Erasmus Mundus consortium (University of Glasgow, Università di Trento, Charles University Prague). Her master’s dissertation examined labour policies in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, analysing the promotion of technology-focused career paths to integrate citizens into innovation sectors amid shifting economic priorities.