Timor Sharan is originally from Afghanistan and has been in exile since the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in 2021. In Afghanistan, he founded and led the Afghanistan Policy Lab, the first policy hub focused on experimental research, policy modelling, and behavioural insights. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Director-General for Policy and Programmes at the Independent Directorate of Local Governance under the previous government. Earlier in his career, Timor was Senior Policy Analyst for Afghanistan at the International Crisis Group and an Adjunct Professor at the American University of Afghanistan. He has also advised governments and international organisations, including USAID, Open Society Foundations, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.