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Born and raised in Baku, Azerbaijan, I still remember bits and pieces of the Soviet Union. I also remember post- Soviet times- independence, war and what came after it. Perhaps then it is no coincidence that much of what was happening during my childhood shaped my future and the work that I do. I spent most of my early teenage years back home. After finishing high school I was accepted at a university in Turkey. Four years in the capital, Ankara, were followed by a new adventure in London where I studied Global Politics. My first job was research assistant at a publishing and consultancy group based out of Istanbul. I traveled to Libya, learned much about real estate especially in the Middle East and north Afrcia and the affect political friendships could have on business environments and investments. A year later I switched to more in-field work, doing more work on my home, while working for a think tank as an analyst. Two years later, I moved back home to work for National Democratic Institute. In the meantime, I started blogging in 2008 in English about Azerbaijan, and without even knowing it, I began running trainings on the use of social media. The more outspoken I became on my blog, the more international attention my blog began to get. Invitations to conferences and events came afterwords. Talking about human rights abuse and violations of freedom of expression back home became a responsibility. I felt privileged to have an opportunity to speak at international platforms and shed light on some of these issues that were getting little or no media coverage at home.

In 2010, I also joined a small non-for-profit doing conflict resolution and reconciliation work with younger people from Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict itself and bitter relations between the two countries was a topic close to my heart. I grew up hearing many stories about these two nations living side by side. But after the war, nothing was ever the same. I wanted to contribute to this rhetoric and try to change at least some bits of it. And so what began as a one-time involvement as a trainer, turned into a long-term partnership as I joined the team as a co-director. Today our work expands into the regions in both of the countries. We continue to work with young people but also initiate new projects with educators, historians and journalists. I myself continue to write of peaceful coexistence and the importance of reconciliation, understanding and communication.

My current home is in Istanbul. I freelance as a journalist, writing mostly about Azerbaijan though now, also with some focus on Turkey too. I still blog and enjoy amateur photography.