Duha Shellah: From Palestine to the World – Championing Science, Education and Policy-Relevant Research

Duha Shellah is a trained Palestinian physician and researcher whose work brings scientific evidence into spaces where policy decisions are made. As a member of the InterAcademy Partnership’s Young Physician Leaders (YPL) programme and a newly appointed member of the IAP Policy Advice Committee, she represents voices that are often absent from global scientific conversations. Her contribution to IAP is shaped by lived experience: conducting research, studying medicine and advocating for evidence-based policy in a conflict-affected and resource-limited setting.

Through the YPL programme, Duha has engaged with scientists and academies from around the world, highlighting the realities of doing research in Palestine and the importance of inclusive science systems. Her appointment to the IAP Policy Advice Committee marks a new chapter in this journey. She sees the committee as a space where evidence must be translated into action, and where scientists from underrepresented regions should not only be present but actively shaping advice. For Duha, effective policy advice depends on trust, accessibility and a clear connection to people’s lived realities.

Long before global platforms and policy committees, Duha’s worldview was shaped at home. After losing her father at a young age, she was raised by her mother and grandmother in a large, close-knit household. Her grandmother, restricted by social norms, had been allowed to attend school for only one day in her entire life. Yet she carried a deep respect for education and passed that belief on to her granddaughter. Her mother raised her with strength and persistence, making education the center of her home. That single day of schooling became a powerful symbol for Duha. It shaped her conviction that education should never be a privilege and that every girl deserves the chance to learn, question and contribute. This belief continues to guide her work across science, medicine and advocacy.

Duha’s path into research was not straightforward. As a medical student in Palestine, she was determined to pursue science alongside clinical training, even when research opportunities were scarce and often reserved for senior academics. A turning point came when she met a mentor who recognised her curiosity and commitment and introduced her to research in a meaningful way. With guidance and encouragement, she gained her first experiences in laboratories and research methodology. That mentorship did more than teach technical skills; it showed her how transformative it can be when someone chooses to invest in a young researcher.

As her own experience grew, so did her awareness that many others were facing the same barriers. Students began approaching her, asking how they could learn research, where they could find guidance and whether there was a place for them in science. In response, Duha co-founded The Researchist in 2019. What began as a small research community quickly grew into a non-governmental organisation focused on capacity building, mentorship and access to research opportunities in Palestine.

Under her leadership, The Researchist has created spaces where students and early-career researchers can learn research skills, connect with mentors and see themselves as part of the scientific community. The organisation has hosted large-scale events and pioneering initiatives for women in science, bringing together students, established researchers and decision-makers. Duha’s vision for The Researchist is clear: to build a dedicated platform where researchers can collaborate, share opportunities and grow professionally, even in settings where formal support structures are limited.

Alongside this work, Duha has continued to expand her international engagement in global health and science policy. She consistently advocates for evidence-based approaches that reflect the realities of low-resource and conflict-affected contexts. Her work is grounded in the belief that research only fulfils its purpose when it reaches people, informs policy and improves lives.

In 2026, Duha will begin a global surgery fellowship in Canada, continuing to combine clinical practice with research. For her, medicine and science are inseparable. Clinical experience keeps research grounded, while research strengthens health systems and policy decisions.

Duha Shellah’s story is one of continuity rather than contrast: a grandmother who was denied education, a mentor who opened a door into science and a young physician who is now helping shape global policy advice. Through her work with IAP, The Researchist and her ongoing medical and research career, she is building pathways for others to follow, ensuring that evidence, education and opportunity are accessible to all.