Maimuna Ashraf is a Ph.D. scholar at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University. She has been working in the field of strategic studies since 2015 and was previously associated with two Islamabad based think-tanks as Senior Research Associate and Research Officer. Her research focuses on South Asian nuclear issues, primarily India and Pakistan’s nuclear and missile capabilities, their conventional and nuclear military doctrines, force postures, and regional arms control and disarmament perspectives.

Ms. Ashraf was a Visiting Fellow to the South Asian Voices, Stimson Center, (USA) in 2018 and she has occasionally contributed to Stimson’s Strategic Learning Initiative. She has presented her work at conferences/workshops including the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI-USA), EUNPD Next Generation Workshop, Brussels, and Atlantic Council. She also participated in various courses/trainings including the 57th ISODARCO, Italy, and the 'Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction training program' organised by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and the OPCW, Netherlands. She holds an M.Phil. in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and her dissertation focused on Pakistan’s nuclear disaster management. She has published research articles and opinion pieces in national journals and on global platforms.