An anthropologist specialising in the study of Global South affairs, with a particular focus on Southwest Asia. He earned his master's degree from the American University of Beirut in 2022, where he was awarded the Professor Fuad Khuri Award in Anthropology for his thesis, Porous Barriers: Hydro-politics and the Role of Expertise in the Struggle Against Dam Projects in Lebanon . In his work, El Mouallem explores the intricate relationship between human societies and ecology, critically examining environmental governance and the socio-political forces shaping resource management in Lebanon. His research and activism are intersectional, aiming not only to understand but also to contribute to solutions for the structural challenges faced by communities affected by ecological governance in the Global South.