Laila Al Sakka is a student at Jumeira Baccalaureate School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She serves as her school’s Student Wellness Officer, working with the student council to promote student wellbeing.
In this role, she has helped organise events during school spirit week. She also works with wellbeing ambassadors to create a more open and supportive school environment.
Laila’s academic interests include history, literature, diplomacy, and the experiences of Middle Eastern communities in the diaspora. Her Palestinian heritage also informs her interest in cultural identity and representation.
Researching Palestinian Digital Communities and Diasporic Identity
At CCIR Academy, Laila explored digital culture and identity through her research paper, Palestinian “Digital Imagined Communities” and Diasporic Identities.
Her study examines how Palestinians in the diaspora use digital spaces to build communities, preserve cultural memory, and express their identities. It also explores how online narratives, shared histories, and communication across borders shape a sense of belonging.
Exploring Identity and Cultural Connection in Digital Spaces
Laila’s research highlights the role of digital platforms in maintaining cultural connections among displaced communities. Furthermore, it examines how online spaces influence representation, identity, and belonging in the digital age.
Sharing Her CCIR Academy Research Journey
Laila also shared her research experience in a CCIR Academy Student Spotlight episode. She discussed the guidance she received from her mentor and the insights she gained throughout the research process.
Her experiences reflect her interests in cultural studies, history, diplomacy, and student wellbeing.
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