Dr. Ali Naji Attiyah is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering – University of Kufa. He graduated from Civil Engineering Department in 1986 and he completed his higher studies in structural engineering at the University of Baghdad. His interest in heritage started in 2003 when he worked as a consultant on the conservation of the Imam Ali shrine at Najaf City. At 2009, he wrote a book titled the Spiritual Values of the Holy Shrines Architecture, where he tried to explore the intangible values affected the traditional design of the shrines. Later he was appointed to be a member of the National Committee to inscribe Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery to the World Heritage List in 2013. He got training courses at the UNESCO Iraq Office on the protection and enhancement of tangible and intangible heritage. In 2019, he secured a grant from the Nahrein Network / University College of London to document the heritage buildings of historic Kufa city.
Stefan Karakolev is Liwan's Finance Officer. He is responsible for the financial affairs of the organisation, including financial planning and management. Stefan is a graduate of the UK based Anglia Ruskin University and has significant international financial experience. Stefan is ACCA qualified.
Mehiyar is a UK-based academic, working at the University College London's History Department. Mehiyar has over twenty years of experience working in international projects in Iraq, in the field of civil society, culture and heritage. Mehiyar works to develop new and innovative practices and approaches to cultural heritage in Iraq through the operationalisation of concepts associated with safeguarding, sustainability and continuity. His recent publications include 'Decolonising Babylon' published in the International Journal of Heritage Studies and 'Heritage Predation' published by London-based think-tank, Chatham House.
Hossam is a conservation architect and planner and has over twenty years experience in academia and conservation work in Europe and the Middle East. Hossam is currently working on a new approach to conservation in the Middle East, utilising local practices and methodologies. Previously, Hossam worked for EAMENA, at Oxford University and is currently involved in several conservation projects.