Becoming a published author at 25, Somya Mehta is an award-winning UAE-based journalist whose work spans some of the most prominent local and global media platforms. With a sharp eye for social and cultural trendspotting and an unwavering commitment to authentic storytelling, she has contributed extensively to the arts, culture, and lifestyle landscape of the UAE. Recognised for her journalistic excellence, she was honoured by the Mohammed bin Rashid Library and British Council for her contributions to the field.

A versatile storyteller, Somya has interviewed some of the world’s most notable personalities while keeping her pulse on hyper-local stories that shape the region. Her reporting delves into diverse topics, including women’s issues, mental health, sustainability, wellbeing, combat sports, and emerging cultural trends — seamlessly transitioning across print, web, and video platforms.

Beyond the newsroom, she is the lead author of a research paper on the transparency of online political advertising, published in the prestigious Internet Policy Review (2022). She has also been invited as a guest panellist at the UN’s COP28 Climate Conference, representing the UAE as the only journalist from the country on a global forum.

Whether moderating panels at events such as World Art Dubai, Unilever’s Forum, The Unmute Project, Khaleej Times’ Weekend Conversations, or speaking on national television for prime-time show DXB Today, Somya uses her platform to spotlight issues that matter. Passionate about the intersection of media, technology, and societal shifts, she actively engages in conversations around the future of work, social impact, and the evolving role of journalism in the modern world.