Zainab is an independent researcher, writer and a film and media professional who pursued an MA in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Screenwriting at the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia. Her work lies at the intersection of film, politics, and culture, with particular focus on women's issues, decolonisation, minority rights, archival practices, and cultural criticism.

She holds a BA (Honours) in English Literature, with a minor in Political Science, from Jesus & Mary College, University of Delhi. Her writings have been published in platforms such as The Migration Story, The Wire, The Observer Post, Feminism in India, and Maktoob Media. As a creative writer, she has also had work appear in Headcanon Magazine and The Scribbled Stories. Professionally, she has interned with Outlook Publishing India, the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, The Wire, Maktoob Media, Feminism in India, and the Led By Foundation. 

On a freelance basis, she worked as a researcher for Neelima Dalmia Adhar on her forthcoming book on Kamala Nehru. She has also worked with filmmaker Sagari Chhabra at the Hamaara Itihaas Archives of Freedom Fighters, where she documented, translated, transcribed, and researched over twenty-five years of primary audiovisual material on women freedom fighters.

Blending storytelling with rigorous research, she works across editorial, research, communications, archival documentation, and creative production. She is currently open to freelance and full-time opportunities across media, publishing, research, and cultural organisations.