Alia Al Shamsi, a first year Ph.D. in Global Studies student at Global Studies University pursuing the Cultural, Visual, and Literary Studies track, has been nominated in The Storyteller category of the Emirates Woman Awards 2026. The category celebrates women whose voices inspire, inform, and endure. View the nominees.
An author, artist, curator, and founder of her own art consultancy, Alia brings two decades of experience in arts and culture to her creative practice. Her work connects regional narratives with wider audiences, exploring the relationship between heritage, identity, and contemporary expression.
In an interview with Emirates Woman, Alia reflected on how her Emirati-Italian background has shaped her approach to cultural dialogue.
“I’ve always felt my role is to be a bridge,” she said. “To take from both sides, to listen, to understand, and to create something new out of that exchange.”
Her consultancy builds on this approach, championing art and cultural narratives from the region. Drawing on experience with institutions including Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Alia seeks to create connections between local voices and global audiences.
