Dr Zakiya Abdul Samad is an Assistant Professor in Finance at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and a Senior Fellow of Advance HE. She holds global academic leadership roles across the University’s Finance portfolio, including serving as Global Programme Director, Chair of the Undergraduate Finance Board of Studies and Chair of the Finance Portfolio Review Working Group.

Her work focuses on developing high-quality, industry-connected and future-ready finance education through curriculum innovation, cross-campus collaboration and the integration of financial technology, artificial intelligence and applied digital tools.

She also leads engagement with professional and industry partners, including the CFA Institute University Affiliation Programme and SAP University Alliances, with a strong focus on enhancing student experience, graduate employability and professional relevance.

Academic Leadership and Professional Engagement

• Global Programme Director for the Undergraduate Finance Portfolio: Academic oversight across campuses involving approximately 575 students and more than 35 academic staff.
• Chair of the Undergraduate Finance Board of Studies.
• Chair of the Finance Portfolio Review Working Group: Leadership of the review of three undergraduate and five postgraduate finance programmes. Programme restructuring, curriculum coherence, progression design and academic governance.
• Global Course Leader – Fintech Innovations and Applications and Advanced Analysis of the Financial Markets
• Postgraduate Dissertation Coordinator – Accounting, Economics and Finance, Dubai
• Principal Contact – CFA Institute University Affiliation Programme, Dubai Campus
• Lead Contact, SAP University Alliance Dubai Campus
• Member – Accounting, Economics and Finance Research Ethics Committee

Dr Abdul Samad’s research interests span international finance, sustainable finance, fintech, financial behaviour and corporate sustainability. Her work examines how technological, behavioural and governance factors shape financial decision-making, organisational outcomes and financial well-being. She is particularly interested in the application of artificial intelligence, financial analytics and emerging digital technologies in finance, alongside ESG, responsible investment and the development of future-ready finance education.

• International Finance
• Sustainable Finance
• Financial Technology (FinTech)
• Artificial Intelligence in Finance
• Financial Behaviour
• Financial Well-being
• ESG and Responsible Investment
• Corporate Sustainability
• Financial Analytics
• Digital Transformation in Finance
• Finance Education and Curriculum Innovation