Zeyad El-Shami is a Washington D.C. native with a passion for criminal justice reform. He studies in Scotland, pursuing a Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. 

Zeyad’s interest in criminal justice reform arose from an unexpected place; while working as a market analyst for Asal Technologies, a Palestinian software firm, he saw firsthand the impact uneven governmental structures had on the implementation of justice in regards to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

When not writing for The Des, Zeyad can be found watching Washington Wizards basketball games, mentoring disadvantaged children in Washington D.C., hiking with his family, and walking his Labrador, Sonny, on the National Mall.