As a Research Analyst at The Plakhov Group, Şerif contributes to the Europe team, supporting research and analysis on international security, geopolitics, NATO affairs, and regional security dynamics across the Balkans, post-Soviet space, Middle East, and Eurasia.

Şerif holds a BA in International Relations and Psychology from the University of British Columbia and will begin his Master of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He has completed the NATO Field School and previously interned at the Center for Eurasian Studies in Ankara and the Istanbul Peace Research Center. His research has focused on Serbian security, European political economy, NATO affairs, BRICS, technofeudalism, Russia’s influence in the Baltics and Caucasus, AI, cybersecurity, and energy security. He is also the founder of UBC Young NATO and has a background as a water polo player and open-water swimmer. Originally from Istanbul, his main research interests include international security, NATO, Balkan security, energy security, and emerging technologies