Helena Axelson Fisk

Helena Axelson Fisk has lived and breathed the Middle East for almost twenty years. She has a BA in political science/Middle Eastern studies/Arabic, with a sprinkle of culture studies for added flavor. She currently resides in Dubai, UAE, where she writes for both Swedish and Emirati media. Dalademokraten, Marginal, Fastighet&Bostadsrätt, Moore and UAE Digest have all published her texts on a number of topics.

In the early 90s, she wrote a book on cultural similarities and differences between young Israeli and Palestinian peace activitists and her dissertation was a study on how Islamization and modernization changed the everyday life of Egyptian women.

Whilst in Dubai, Ms. Axelson Fisk made a study on the Swedish expatriate community in six Middle Eastern countries, and she has been the editor for a Swedish community magazine in the UAE. In that capacity, Helena has had the opportunity to talk to several prominent Emirati women, such as Raja Al Gurg, a prominent business woman, Mona Al Marri, then President of the Dubai Press Club and HE Sheikha Najla Al Qassimi, one of UAE's two first female ambassadors.

Ms. Axelson Fisk is an avid reader of Arabic literature and both Rumi and Hanan Al Shaykh have a special place in her heart. She holds Robert Fisk in high regard.