Areen is an honors graduate of the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), where she earned her BA in International Studies. During her undergraduate years, she conducted various research projects, completed a Sulaimani Forum internship with the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS), and served as a teacher's assistant. She has previously worked with NGOs as an advocacy and project intern. Early in her research career, Areen seeks to understand the complex interplay of economic development, social relations, and ideological forces in the reconstruction of post-conflict areas.

Areen recently joined the IRIS team as a Research Fellow through the Iraq Economic Review Fellowship Program.