Dubai Abulhoul: Author, Diplomat and Fiker Institute Founder

Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by Fame Katha Editorial Team

Introduction

Dubai Abulhoul is an Emirati author, former diplomat and international affairs professional who is best known as the founder and CEO of Fiker Institute, an independent think tank based in Dubai.

Her public journey started much earlier than her policy career. She first received attention as a young filmmaker and writer before studying political science, becoming a Rhodes Scholar and later working in diplomacy.

As of August 2026, her main professional role remains leading Fiker Institute. She also participates in international policy discussions and serves on several educational, cultural and sustainability-related bodies.

Her career is unusual because it connects storytelling, Emirati culture, diplomacy and global affairs rather than staying within one profession.

Who Is Dubai Abulhoul?

Dubai Abulhoul Alfalasi, professionally known as Dubai Abulhoul, is a public figure from the United Arab Emirates.

She has worked across several fields, including:

• Literature
• International relations
• Diplomacy
• Public policy
• Research
• Cultural preservation

Today, she is mainly recognised for establishing Fiker Institute in 2021.

The organisation focuses on international affairs and aims to increase meaningful discussion between the Middle East and the wider world.

For readers exploring more profiles about notable leaders, professionals and public figures, FameKatha also covers people from different industries and countries.

Quick Facts

Detail	Verified Information
Full professional name	Dubai Abulhoul Alfalasi
Common professional name	Dubai Abulhoul
Nationality	Emirati
Main profession	International affairs professional, author and former diplomat
Current main role	Founder and CEO of Fiker Institute
Organisation founded	Fiker Institute
Institute founded	September 2021
Undergraduate university	New York University Abu Dhabi
Undergraduate subject	Political Science
Graduation year	2017
Postgraduate university	University of Oxford
Qualification	MSc in Diplomacy and Global Governance
Major academic recognition	Rhodes Scholar
Notable early creative work	Galagolia: The Hidden Divination
Major 2024 recognition	Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30
Major 2026 recognition	NYU Abu Dhabi Alumni Leadership Award

Early Interest in Storytelling

Her public work began at a young age.

In 2008, she gained attention at the Gulf Film Festival through an animated project called Galagolia. Contemporary reporting recognised her as the festival’s youngest filmmaker and noted that she was only 11 at the time.

That early project later developed into a book.

In 2012, she launched Galagolia: The Hidden Divination at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

The work became an important part of her early reputation as a young Emirati writer.

The Emirates Literature Foundation has described it as the first Emirati fantasy novel written in English.

This creative beginning is important because her later career moved into politics and diplomacy, yet cultural storytelling remained part of her professional identity.

Education at NYU Abu Dhabi

After her early work in writing, she studied Political Science at New York University Abu Dhabi.

She graduated in 2017.

During her university years, her academic interests included political participation, culture and gender roles in the UAE.

She was also involved with the Emirates Youth Council during this period.

Studying political science gave her a more formal foundation for the international affairs work that would later become the centre of her career.

Becoming a Rhodes Scholar

One of her most important academic achievements came before graduation.

In 2016, NYU Abu Dhabi announced that she had been selected as a 2017 Rhodes Scholar representing the UAE.

The Rhodes Scholarship allowed her to continue her studies at the University of Oxford.

There, she completed an MSc in Diplomacy and Global Governance.

Her studies covered subjects connected with international diplomacy, law, crisis management and soft power.

This marked a clear shift from her early literary work toward international relations and public policy.

Career in Diplomacy

After university, Abulhoul gained professional experience in international relations and government work.

Her publicly documented career includes work as a political analyst at the UAE Embassy in Washington and research experience at the UAE Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

She later served as a diplomat at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2018 and 2021.

This experience gave her direct exposure to international policy, diplomatic communication and global institutions.

Her years in government also became an important foundation for the think-tank work she later pursued.

Founding Fiker Institute

In September 2021, she founded Fiker Institute in Dubai.

The organisation describes itself as an independent international affairs think tank.

Its work is built around creating a stronger exchange of ideas between the Middle East and the international community.

Instead of treating the region only as a topic studied by outsiders, Fiker aims to support research and discussion that also reflects perspectives produced within the region.

Its areas of interest include subjects such as:

• Diplomacy
• Global governance
• Regional affairs
• Climate issues
• Gender equality
• Foreign policy
• International security

As of August 2026, Dubai Abulhoul continues to serve as the organisation’s founder and chief executive.

Fiker Politics Library

The institute expanded its work further in 2023 with the opening of the Fiker Politics Library at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai.

The specialist collection includes more than 15,000 books.

Its subjects include foreign policy, international relations, politics, global affairs and international development.

The library provides another example of how her work combines research, public knowledge and access to political ideas.

It is not simply a general reading space. Its collection is strongly focused on international affairs and related academic subjects.

International Policy Work

Her work has also brought her into major international discussions.

In 2022, she participated in a Paris Peace Forum panel that included several senior political leaders.

She later became part of the COP28 UAE President’s Advisory Committee during the COP28 period.

Her participation in policy events reflects the international focus that now defines much of her professional work.

She has also appeared through organisations and events connected with global governance, diplomacy and international security.

World Economic Forum Role

As of August 2026, she is listed as a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Geopolitics.

The council brings together professionals who examine changes affecting international relations and global political systems.

This role fits closely with her work through Fiker Institute.

It also reflects her continuing involvement in policy conversations beyond the UAE.

University and Cultural Roles

Her work is not limited to one organisation.

She has held or continues to hold several publicly confirmed positions connected with education, culture and sustainability.

These include serving as:

• A trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation
• A member of the University of Birmingham Dubai Advisory Board
• A jury member for the Zayed Sustainability Prize
• A member of the UAE Rhodes Committee

These roles show the broad range of institutions connected with her professional life.

They also link her earlier literary background with her later work in global affairs.

Partnership With the University of Oxford

Fiker Institute reached another significant milestone in September 2025.

The institute announced a formal research partnership with the University of Oxford’s Global Security Programme.

The collaboration covers areas related to international security and global governance.

It includes research, events, public engagement and joint academic work.

The agreement strengthened the institute’s connection with international research institutions and expanded the scope of its policy work.

Recognition and Awards

Several organisations have recognised her work over the years.

In 2016, she received the inaugural Young Arab of the Year award.

Years later, Forbes Middle East included her in its 30 Under 30 2024 list within the Social Impact category.

The recognition highlighted her work through Fiker Institute and its wider contribution to public policy discussions.

In 2026, New York University Abu Dhabi selected her for its Alumni Leadership Award.

The university recognised her professional development, leadership and contribution to international affairs.

Books and Emirati Folklore

Although diplomacy became a major part of her career, writing remained important.

Alongside Galagolia, she has worked on children’s books inspired by Emirati folklore.

Her children’s writing introduces younger readers to traditional characters and stories from the UAE.

This work has helped bring oral cultural traditions into written formats suitable for new generations.

The subject matter also connects modern children’s literature with older local storytelling traditions.

Her creative and policy careers may look very different, but both involve communication and presenting ideas to wider audiences.

What Is She Known for Today?

People searching for Dubai Abulhoul today are most likely looking for information about her work with Fiker Institute.

Her current profile is mainly connected to:

• International affairs
• Policy research
• Diplomacy
• Global governance
• Middle Eastern perspectives
• Cultural and educational initiatives

Her earlier reputation came from books and filmmaking, while her later public work developed through education and diplomatic service.

Fiker Institute now sits at the centre of that career.

Is Dubai Abulhoul an Author?

Yes.

She has a documented history as an Emirati writer.

Her early book Galagolia: The Hidden Divination was launched in 2012, and she later published children’s stories drawing from Emirati folklore.

However, describing her only as an author would not fully explain her present professional work.

Today, she is more prominently associated with international affairs and Fiker Institute.

Is She a Diplomat?

She is a former diplomat.

She served at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2021.

Her earlier professional experience also included work connected with the UAE Embassy in Washington and the country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

She later moved from government service into independent international affairs research.

What Is Fiker Institute?

Fiker Institute is an independent think tank founded in Dubai in 2021.

Its research and programmes explore international affairs while encouraging greater exchange between perspectives from the Middle East and other parts of the world.

The organisation also operates the Fiker Politics Library.

Through research projects, discussions and partnerships, it addresses topics connected with diplomacy, foreign policy, governance and global security.

Why Her Career Stands Out

Her career has developed across several stages.

She first became publicly visible through creativity and storytelling.

She then studied politics, received one of the world’s best-known academic scholarships, gained diplomatic experience and eventually created an organisation focused on international affairs.

That progression can be summarised simply:

storytelling → political education → diplomacy → policy research and leadership

Rather than leaving her creative background completely behind, she has continued to maintain links with literature and Emirati cultural preservation while working in global affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dubai Abulhoul?

She is an Emirati author, former diplomat, Rhodes Scholar and international affairs professional. She founded Fiker Institute and serves as its CEO.

What does she do now?

As of August 2026, her main verified position is founder and CEO of Fiker Institute in Dubai.

What is Fiker Institute?

It is an independent international affairs think tank founded in September 2021.

Where did she study?

She studied Political Science at NYU Abu Dhabi and later completed an MSc in Diplomacy and Global Governance at the University of Oxford.

Was she a Rhodes Scholar?

Yes. She was selected as a 2017 Rhodes Scholar representing the UAE.

Has she worked for the UAE government?

Yes. Her documented career includes service as a diplomat at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2021.

Is she also a writer?

Yes. Her published work includes Galagolia: The Hidden Divination and children’s literature inspired by Emirati folklore.

What awards has she received?

Her recognised achievements include Young Arab of the Year in 2016, Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 in 2024 and the NYU Abu Dhabi Alumni Leadership Award in 2026.

Final Summary

Dubai Abulhoul has built a career that connects literature, political education, diplomacy and international policy.

She first attracted public attention through creative work before studying political science at NYU Abu Dhabi and diplomacy at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Her later experience included UAE diplomatic service and international relations work.

Since 2021, her primary professional focus has been Fiker Institute, the Dubai-based international affairs think tank she founded.

As of August 2026, she remains its CEO while also contributing to international, educational, literary and sustainability-focused institutions.