Holly Cook

Education

Natasha Ridge is the founding Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. Prior to this appointment, she was the Acting Director of Research at the Dubai School of Government. Natasha has over 20 years of experience working in the international education sector including in Singapore and Australia. Natasha holds a Doctorate of Education in International Education Policy from Columbia University, a Master's in International and Community Development from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University. Natasha has more than 50 publications, including a book entitled Education and the Reverse Gender Divide in the Gulf States: Embracing the Global, Ignoring the Local published by Teachers College Press. Her latest research focuses on philanthropy and education in the MENA region as well as the nature and impact of father involvement in the Arab World. In addition to being a founding Executive Board member and former President of the Gulf Comparative Education Society Natasha is also a member of the NORRAG Advisory Board and the Board of EduAlliance. Natasha is passionate about all things related to education and hopes that the work of the Al Qasimi Foundation will continue to make a positive impact on the lives and education of the people of Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE and beyond.