Miral Sabry El-Ashry: An Egyptian Journalist Writing from the Frontlines and Advocating for Press Freedom from University Halls to Global Conferences
From conflict zones in Libya to the prestigious halls of Europe and the Middle East’s top universities, Dr. Miral Sabry El-Ashry is crafting an exceptional career that bridges investigative journalism, academic research, and a steadfast defense of media freedom and journalists’ safety.
Dr. El-Ashry currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Media and Communication at the University of East London – Cairo Branch (hosted at the European Universities in Egypt - EUE). She is also the MENA Co-Lead at the Centre for Freedom of the Media at the University of Sheffield, and an academic expert in journalist safety at the University of Liverpool. Since 2019, she has been an accredited conflict reporter covering Libya for Eurasia Review.
She was awarded the 2023 State Prize in Social Sciences for Women and received the Best Researcher Award at the 2024 Cybersecurity and Encryption Conference for her bold study on “The Impact of Egyptian Legislation on Access to Information.”
Holding a PhD with highest honors from Ain Shams University, El-Ashry rose through academic ranks from Assistant Professor to Full Professor. She has taught at prestigious institutions such as the American University in Cairo and Future University, where she held significant administrative and academic positions, including Vice Dean and Head of the Political Media Department.
She has supervised dozens of academic theses and organized key conferences such as “Egypt in a Changing World,” “Arab Scientific Journalism in the Digital Media Age,” and “The New Republic: Toward a Better Future.”
Since 2019, El-Ashry has covered dozens of major developments in Libya, Syria, and Yemen, writing in-depth analytical pieces on the geopolitical complexities of the region. She has also distinguished herself with critical analyses on the intersection of technology, media, and politics, especially in the age of artificial intelligence.
She has published over 28 peer-reviewed articles in high-ranking international journals (Q1 and Q2), and six academic books addressing issues of freedom of expression, media ethics, digital security, and digital transformation in Arab media. She is currently collaborating on international research projects with institutions such as the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) and Germany’s DW Akademie.
In addition to her academic achievements, El-Ashry leads the DW Alumni Network in the MENA region, conducting journalist training in digital security, investigative journalism, and curriculum development. She represents a powerful model of the Arab woman who combines academic rigor, professional dedication, and civic activism to promote a free and responsible press.
