Shaika Al Nassr is the Director of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha. With over 18 years of dedicated service at MIA, she has held several senior roles, including Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Head of Exhibitions, contributing decisively to the museum’s strategic development and to the successful relaunch of MIA in 2022.
Shaika’s academic background reflects a strong interdisciplinary and global perspective. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Qatar University, followed by postgraduate studies in Islamic Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and a master’s degree in museum studies from University College London (UCL). This academic foundation has shaped her scholarly approach to museums, collections, and cultural leadership.
Beyond academia, Shaika has delivered and published more than 15 research and professional papers and has presented extensively at international conferences. She has also participated in high level leadership programs, including the Executive Leadership Programme at Qatar Leadership Centre and the Getty Leadership Institute’s Museum Leaders: The Next Generation. Early in her career, she gained professional training through internships at Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery in London.
In recognition of her impact, Shaika Al Nassr was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in April 2025 and was named Emerging Leader in Tourism at the Qatar Tourism Awards in November 2025. She continues to champion museums as inclusive, innovative, and globally connected institutions.
Shaika’s academic background reflects a strong interdisciplinary and global perspective. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Qatar University, followed by postgraduate studies in Islamic Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and a master’s degree in museum studies from University College London (UCL). This academic foundation has shaped her scholarly approach to museums, collections, and cultural leadership.
Beyond academia, Shaika has delivered and published more than 15 research and professional papers and has presented extensively at international conferences. She has also participated in high level leadership programs, including the Executive Leadership Programme at Qatar Leadership Centre and the Getty Leadership Institute’s Museum Leaders: The Next Generation. Early in her career, she gained professional training through internships at Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery in London.
In recognition of her impact, Shaika Al Nassr was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in April 2025 and was named Emerging Leader in Tourism at the Qatar Tourism Awards in November 2025. She continues to champion museums as inclusive, innovative, and globally connected institutions.