Dr. Samar Abou Ltaif is a Lecturer in Accounting, Finance, and Economics and an active researcher in financial stability, banking reform, and economic development. She holds a PhD in Business Administration from European University Cyprus, where her doctoral research examined The 2019 Lebanese Financial and Banking Crisis: Root Causes and Consequences. She also earned a Master’s degree in Project Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University (with MUBS) and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the American University of Science & Technology.

Dr. Abou Ltaif combines extensive academic experience with over a decade of professional practice in the banking sector. Prior to entering academia, she held senior roles in banking operations, compliance, and financial advisory services. This industry background enables her to integrate real-world financial and regulatory insights into her teaching.

She teaches undergraduate courses in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, and related business disciplines, adopting a student-centered and application-driven teaching philosophy that emphasizes critical thinking and the practical application of theory. Her research focuses on financial crises, institutional quality, SME financing, remittances, public finance, and policy-oriented economic analysis, with particular emphasis on fragile and transitioning economies such as Lebanon. She is actively engaged in international research initiatives, including the METEOR Project under Horizon Europe.

Education

• PhD in Business Administration, European University Cyprus, Cyprus, 2024
• MSc in Project Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University (with MUBS), Lebanon, 2016
• BSc in Finance, American University of Science & Technology, Lebanon, 2005

Research Interests

Financial stability and banking reform; public finance and economic governance; monetary and fiscal policy; remittances and foreign direct investment; SME financing and entrepreneurship; institutional theory; economic development in fragile and transitioning economies; digital transformation and AI in economic administration.

Publications-Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

• Samar Faouaz Abou Ltaif (Author 1), Simona Mihai Yiannaki. "Exploring the Impact of Political Patronage Networks on Financial Stability: Lebanon's 2019 Economic Crisis." Journal: Economies (Q1 Scopus indexed) (Accepted, June 2024).
• Samar Faouaz Abou Ltaif (Author 1), Simona Mihai Yiannaki, Alkis Thrassou. Journal: Risks (Q1 Scopus indexed). Lebanon's Economic Development Risk: Global Factors and Local Realities of The Shadow Economy Amid Financial Crisis
  Published: July 2024
• Samar Faouaz Abou Ltaif (Author 1), Simona Mihai Yiannaki, Alkis Thrassou. Journal: Risks (Q1 Scopus indexed). The Role of Personal Remittances in Economic Development: A Comparative Analysis with Foreign Direct Investment
  in Lebanon.Published: November 2024
• Samar Faouaz Abou Ltaif (Author 1), Simona Mihai Yiannaki. “Comparative Analysis of Economic Responses: Lebanon vs. Russia”. Journal: Cogent Social Sciences (Taylor and Francis, Q2 Scopus indexed)(Publisehd on December, 2024).
• Samar Faouaz Abou Ltaif (Author 1), Alkis Thrassou., A. Book Chapter (Accepted / Forthcoming2026). Institutional Quality and SME Development: Comparative Lessons from Singapore, Greece, and Lebanon. In The Expanding Horizons of Business and Management: Technology, Society and Policy. Palgrave Macmillan.

Conferences Presentations

• Explored "Impact of Personal Remittances on Developing Economies - Lebanon Case" at World Finance Conference, Norway | Aug 2023

• Delivered research on "Meaning Correlation Among Economic Indicators in Lebanon’s Financial Crisis" at EMAB, Vilnius, Lithuania |Sep 2023
• Presented paper on "Factors Affecting Banks in Lebanon - Crisis of 2019" at ICBMECINF, London, UK | Aug 2021
• Discussed topic: Political Patronage and Financial Stability: The Case of Lebanon, World Finance Conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, |Aug, 2024.

Certifications & Professional Development

• ENREAC-HEI Certificate, European Network for Research and Education in Academia – Higher Education Institutions (ENREAC-HEI), 2020
  Participated in international training focused on research collaboration, academic capacity building, and higher education innovation.
• McGraw-Hill Professional Learning Certificate – Empowering Future Tax Professionals, 2025
  Completed accredited continuing professional education (CPE) training in Information Technology applications relevant to tax and finance professionals.
• Advance HE Fellowship (FHEA) – Application in progress, 2025
  Evidence-based recognition of professional practice in teaching and learning in higher education.

Grants, Awards & Scholarships

• Conference travel grant, World Finance Conference, 2024.Supported attendance to present research on economic development and financial stability.

Academic Service / Peer Review Activities

Dr. Abou Ltaif serves as a peer reviewer for several international journals, including:

• EuroMed Journal of Business (Emerald Publishing), 2025 – Present
• Economic Research – Ekonomska Istraživanja (Taylor & Francis), 2024 – Present
• Social Sciences & Humanities Open (Elsevier), 2025 – Present