Shukriya Bradost is a doctoral researcher at Virginia Tech, specializing in the securitization of ethnic groups. A member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) since 2010, she brings a wealth of experience as a lawyer, journalist, political analyst, and researcher. She regularly contributes insights on international and Middle Eastern security matters to media platforms like the BBC, VOA, I24, K24, Rudaw, and International TV. Born and raised in the Kurdistan region, Shukriya played a pivotal role in establishing the first Women, Life, and Freedom Committee in 2003. Later, she fled to Iraq, where she served as the editor and manager of the Khama Center for Students’ Media and Academic Research.