Faculty Profile

Dr. Md. Ismail Hossain

Professor

Contact Information

  • Office Address: Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh
  • Phone: +8801711069070
  • Email: ismail-scw@sust.edu, ismailscw@yahoo.com

Biography

Md Ismail Hossain is a professor of social work at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Bangladesh. He received PhD in Labor Studies for the dissertation on, “Working Conditions and Rights of Women Workers in Global Manufacturing: The Case of Readymade Garment Industry in Bangladesh” from University of Milan, Italy. Mr. Hossain was an ‘International Visiting Scholar’ at Monmouth University from September 2012 to December 2012. He has been deeply engaged with labor and social justice issues for the last one decade. He offered a number courses focusing on his research interest such as ‘Gender Issues and Social Work Practice’, ‘Social welfare Policy and Services in Bangladesh’, ‘Employment Relations and Labour Welfare’. He has published numerous articles in various journals including Journal of International Development (Wiley & Blackwell), International Journal of Rural Development (Sage), Asian Social Work and Policy Review (Wiley and Blackwell), Hong Kong Journal of Social Work (World Scientific). He is the author of a book, Social Justice in the Globalization of Production: Labor, Gender and the Environment Nexus (New York: Palgrave Macmillan). Currently, Dr. Hossain is engaged in exploring the role of multinational corporations for ensuring labour justice at global production sites.

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Labour Studies (Awarded: November 2013), Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
  • Joint European Master’s in “Women and Gender Studies”. University of Lodz, Poland & Utrecht University, Netherlands. Result: ‘Good’ Grade.
  • MSS in Social Welfare: University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Academic Year: 1996-97 (Awarded: October 2000). Result: First Class (Third position in merit list).
  • Bachelor in Social Welfare: University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Academic Year: 1993-94 (Awarded: October 1997). Result: First Class (Fifth position in merit list)
  • Higher Secondary (A level): Education Board: Jessore, Group: Humanities, Academic year: 1991-1993, Grade: First Division (18th position in combined Merit list).
  • Secondary (O Level): Education Board: Jessore, Group: Science, academic year: 1985-1991, Grade: First Division

Research Interests

  • Labour Rights
  • Employment Relations
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Gender
  • Child labour
  • NGOs
  • Disaster Management
  • Occupational Social Work

Active Research Project

  • 1. Application of School Social Work for the Improvement of educational standard at Secondary level in Haor areas of Bangladesh, Funded by Ministry of Education, 2022-2024.
  • 2. Livelihood and Survival Struggle of Khasis Communities in Bangladesh, Principal Investigator, University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. July 2023- June 2024 (Ongoing)
  • 3. Health and Wellbeing of Tea Garden Workers in Bangladesh: A Study in Sylhet, Principal Investigator, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, July 2023- June 2024 (Ongoing)

Previous Research Project

  • 1. Industrial Disasters, Corporate Social Responsibility and Workers’ well-being: A study on Apparel Industry of Bangladesh, Principal Investigator, Funded by University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. 2014-15,
  • 2. Corporal Punishment at Primary Schools: a Study in Sylhet, Co-investigator, Funded by University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. 2017-18.
  • 3. Empowerment of first class women employees: a study in Sylhet, Co-investigator, Funded by University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. 2015-2016.
  • 4. School Social Work Practice in Haor Areas of Bangladesh: Prospects and Problems, Co-Investigator, Funded by University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. 2019-2020.
  • 5. A Study on Working Conditions of Tea Plantation Workers in Bangladesh, Co-investigator, 2015, Funded by ILO, Dhaka.
  • 6. Struggle against Odds: The survival of Transgender people in Bangladesh, Principal Investigator, Funded by University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. 2016-2017
  • 7. Study on Impact Assessment of Local Governance for Children: Community Engagement and SBCC Component, and Union Level Budget Allocation/Expenditures, Principal Investigator, Funded by UNICEF Bangladesh, January to March 2020.
  • 8. Sustainable development of Haor Community through smart village, Chief investigator, 2019-21, Funded by SUST Research Centre
  • 9. Employment and Food Security of Haor people through smart agriculture, Chief Investigator, 2019-2021, Funded by Social Science Research Council, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka
  • 10. Occupational Health of Service Professionals during Corona Pandemic: A Study in Sylhet, Chief Investigator, 2020-21, Funded By SUST Research Centre
  • 11. Sexual and Reproductive Health of Sexual Minorities in Bangladesh, Principal Investigator, University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. July 2022- June 2023 (Completed) • Occupational Health and safety of sanitation workers in Bangladesh, Co-Investigator, Funded by Water AID, UK. April 2022-February 2023.
  • 12. Occupational Health and safety of sanitation workers in Bangladesh, Co-Investigator, Funded by Water AID, UK. April 2022-February 2023.
  • 13. Impact of COVID-19 on Development Interventions in Bangladesh. Principal Investigator, Funded by University Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet. July 2021- June 2022.

External Affiliations

  • International Visiting Scholar, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Monmouth University, New Jersey, USA. From October to December 2012.
  • Visiting Research Scholar, Center for Global Workers’ Rights, School of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Pennsylvania State University, USA. From April to June 2017.

Journal Publications

  • 1. Hossain, M. I., Islam, M. S., Ali, I. and Azman, A. (2024). Challenges of Social Work Field Practicum and Professionalization in Bangladesh, Social Work Education
  • 2. Hossain, M. I., Ahmad, I., Ali, (2024). Impacts of COVID-19 on Social Work Teaching and Learning in Bangladesh, Asian Social Work and Policy Review
  • 3. Hossain, M. I., Ahmad, I., Mehedi, N., Ali, I. and Azman, A. (2023). Haor (Wet land) community in Bangladesh : Needs/Problems, resources and potential for employing smart village ideas, International Journal of Community and Social Development, https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026231190290
  • 4. Hossain, M.I., Mehedi, N., ALI, I, Azman, A. (2023). Occupational Health of Frontline Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is Health and Well-Being an Issue in Bangladesh? Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala, 80, 18-39, DOI: 10.33788/rcis.80.2
  • 5. Hossain, M.I., Mehedi, N., Ahmad, I. (2022). Designing a Research Proposal in Qualitative Research. In Islam, M.R., Khan, N.A., Baikady, R. (eds), Principles of Social Research Methodology (pp. 263-277). Springer, Singapore.
  • 6. Hossain, M. I., Ahmad, I., Mehedi, N., Akter, R., and Cane, T. (2022). Social stigma and vulnerabilities of HIV/AIDS-positive people: Reconsidering social work education and NGOs’ role in Bangladesh, Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services (Taylor & Francis)
  • 7. Mehedi, N., & Hossain, M. I. (2022). Patients with stigmatized illnesses during the COVID-19 health hazard: An underappreciated issue. Asian Journal of Psychiatry (ScienceDirect), 67, 102951-102951
  • 8. Salahuddin, A. F. M., Hossain, M. I., Ishaque, A., and Azman, A. (2022). Social assistance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: Does faith-based approach matter? Asian Social Work and Policy Review (Wiley)
  • 9. Mehedi, N., & Hossain, M. I. (2022). Experiences of the Frontline Healthcare Professionals Amid the COVID-19 Health Hazard: A Phenomenological Investigation. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 59, 00469580221111925.
  • 10. Hossain, M. I., Mehedi, N., Ahmad, I., Ali, I. And Azman, A. (2021). Psychosocial Stress And Trauma During COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Bangladesh, Asian Social Work and Policy Review, https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12227
  • 11. Mehedi, N. & Hossain, M.I. (2021). The COVID-19 crisis and the necessity for the quick response to the Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2021.76
  • 12. Hossain, M. I., Ishaque, A., Azlinda, A., Ahmad, I., and Mehedi, N. (2021). The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A Threat to Peace and Security in South Asia, The International Journal of Community and Social Development (Sage)
  • 13. Chowdhury, M. S. Ahmmed, F and Hossain, M. I. (2020). Methodological Dilemma in Microfinance Research: Applicability of a Qualitative Case Study Design, The Qualitative Report, 25(2), 271-290.
  • 14. Mahbubuzzaman, A.K.M., and Hossain, M. I. (2020). Prevalence of Corporal Punishment at Government Primary Schools in Sylhet, Journal of Social Science (Special Issue), University of Rajshahi.
  • 15. Chowdhury, M. S. Ahmmed, F and Hossain, M. I. (2020). Conditionalities of Public Microfinance and the Rural Poor: Voices From the Below, Journal of International Development, 32, 526-42.
  • 16. Hossain, M. I. and Ferdous, G. K. (2020). Social exclusion of Transgender People in Bangladesh: Implication for Social Work Practice. In Das et al (eds), Social Work and Sustainable Social Development (pp. 89109). Department of Social Work, SUST.
  • 17. Hossain, M. I., and Ahmad, I. (2020). Social Work Education and Practice in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges. In R. Baikady, S. M. Sajid, H. Sakaguchi and S. Cheng (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Work Education (pp. 455-472). UK: Palgrave Macmillan
  • 18. Chowdhury, M. S. Ahmmed, F and Hossain, M. I. (2019). Neo-liberal Governmentality, Public Microfinance and Poverty in Bangladesh: Who are the Actual Beneficiaries? International Journal of Rural Development, 15(1), 23-48.
  • 19. Islam, M. R., Hossain, M. I., Islam, M. R. and Bhuiyan, M. H. (2017). Health Policy in Bangladesh:Is it a Safeguard for Low-income People? South Asian Journal of Participative Development, 17(2), 4-19.
  • 20. Alamin, M., and Hossain, M. I. (2017). Social Exclusion and Poverty of Tea Garden Workers: A Study in Sylhet, Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, 53(1), 21-36.
  • 21. Hossain, M. I., and Semenza, R. (2017). Labor Justice in Global Manufacturing: New Actors for Revitalizing Industrial Relations, Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, 52(4), 543-557.
  • 22. Hossain, M. I., Alamin. M., and Parveen, S. S. (2017).Protection of Child Rights in Tea Garndens of Bangladesh: Social Work Perspective, Social Work Chronicle, 6(1), 39-53.
  • 23. Islam, M. S. & Hossain, M. I., (2016) Social Justice in the Globalization of Production: Labour, Gender, and the Environment Nexus (Palgrave Macmillan Publishers Ltd. New York, USA)
  • 24. Hossain, M. I., & Mathbor, G. M., (2014). Social Work Practice for Social Development in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges, Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 8(2), 123-137 (Wiley & Blackwell).
  • 25. Al-Amin, M., Hossain, M. I. & Mathbor, G. M., (2013). Women Empowerment through Microcredit: A Rhetoric or Reality? An evidence from Bangladesh, Multidisciplinary Journal of Gender Studies, 2(2), 107-126.
  • 26. Hossain, M. I., and Semenza, R., (2013). Global Manufacturing and Women Workers Rights: Readymade Garment Industry of Bangladesh. In E. Ales and I. Senatori (Eds), The Transnational Dimension of Labour Relations: a New Order in the Making? (pp. 184-203). Turin, Italy: Giappichelli.
  • 27. Hossain, M. I., Mathbor, G. M. & Semenza, R., (2013). Feminization and Labour Vulnerability in Global Manufacturing Enterprises: Does Gendered Discourse Matter? Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 7(3), 197-212 (Wiley & Blackwell)
  • 28. Al-Amin, M., Hossain, M. I. &Mathbor, G. M. (2013). Women Empowerment through Microcredit: A Rhetoric or Reality? An evidence from Bangladesh, Generos: Multidisciplinary Journal of Gender Studies, 2(2), 107-126.
  • 29. Hossain, M. I., & Al-Amin, M. (2012). Employment of Women in the Globalization of production: Welfare or Exploitation? Empowerment: a Journal of Women for Women, 19, 1-16 (Women for Women, Dhaka).
  • 30. Hossain, M. I., Al-Amin, M., & Alam, M. J., (2012). NGO Interventions and Women Development in Bangladesh: Do Feminist Theories Work? Hong Kong Journal of Social Work, 46(1), 13-29.
  • 31. Hossain, M. I., (2007). Child Labour in Tea Industry (Bengoli), SUST Studies, 9(3), 1-17 (Shahjalal University of Science & Technology).
  • 32. Rabbani, Golam , Hossain, M. I. & Selim, M., (2007). Domestic Child labour: a study in Dhaka city (Bengoli), Journal of Social Development, 21(1), 57-72. (Institute of Social Welfare & Research, University of Dhaka).
  • 33. Uddin, T., Chowdhury, M. A. I. & Hossain, M. I., (2007). A study on environmental awareness, attitude and behaviour of students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Science, 13(2), 210-215 (Bangladesh Association for Environmental Development, Bangladesh Agricutural University, Mymensigh).
  • 34. Hossain, M. I. (2006). Socio-economic Condition of Women Tea Worker: The Context of Bangladesh (Bengoli), Journal of Public Administration, (Public Administration Training Centre, Savar, Dhaka).
  • 35. Hossain M. I., Akter, T., Rahman, M. M., & Uddin, M. T. (2006). Rethinking the Approaches to Women Empowerment: Bangladesh Perspective, Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(5), 1159-1164 (Asian Network for Scientific Information, Pakistan).
  • 36. Hossain, M. I., Akter, T., & Uddin, M. T., (2006). The Elderly Care Services and Their Current Situation in Bangladesh, Journal of Medical Science, 6(2), 131-138 (Asian Network for Scientific Information, Pakistan).
  • 37. Hossain, M. I., Alam, M. J., & Islam, N.,(2005). Medical Social Work Practices for the Improvement of Health Care System in Bangladesh, Journal of Sociology, 1(1), 63-74, (Nazmul Karim Study Centre, Dept. of Sociology, University of Dhaka).
  • 38. Hossain, M. I., (2004).Empowerment of Women in Family and NGO Initiative: An Analysis (Bengoli), Journal of Empowerment, 06, 1-21 (Women for Women, Dhaka).
  • 39. Hossain, M. I. & Alam, M. J., (2004). Religious Beliefs and Cultural Practices in Sylhet, Journal of Philosophy and Progress, XXXV-XXXVI, 45-61 (Dev Centre for Philosophical Studies, University of Dhaka).
  • 40. Chowdhury, M. H. & Hossain, M. I., (2001). Suicide of Women in Jhenaidah, Social Science Review, 18(2), 369-380 (Faculty of Social Science, University of Dhaka)
  • 41. Samad, M. & Hossain, M. I., (2001). Education of Slum Children in Bangladesh: A Comparative Analysis of Two NGOs’ Activities” (Bengoli), Journal of Social Development, 15 (1), 1-17 (Institute of Social Welfare & Research, University of Dhaka).

Conference

  • 1. Paper presented on “Social and Employment Vulnerabilities of Self -dependent Women during Flash Floods: Social Justice Perspective”, Regional Conference on Water Climate Change and Development, Department of Social Work, shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet, February 22, 2014.
  • 2. Paper presented on “Ensuring labour justice in Global manufacturing: tripartite industrial actors or beyond?”, 10th European conference of International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA), 20-22 June, 2013, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • 3. Paper presented on “Working Conditions and Labour Rights of Women Workers in Global Manufacturing Enterprises: The case of Bangladesh Readymade Garment Industry” at Faculty Forum, Monmouth University, USA, November 21, 2012.
  • 4. Attended in 58th CSWE APM 2012 on “Social Work: a Capital Venture”, Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), Washington D.C., 9-12 November 2012.
  • 5. Attended in “Global Understanding Symposium” on “Global Culture: Concepts and Paradigms Revisited”, IGU, Monmouth University, 20-22 September, 2012.
  • 6. Paper presented on “Employment of women in global production industry: welfare or exploitation” at ‘Beyond the Crisis: Industrial Relations and Sustainable Growth’ conference (IREC 2011) by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 1-2 September, 2011.
  • 7. Paper presented on “Climate change poverty and gender: the case of Bangladesh” at “Climate Change and Higher Education” conference jointly organized by Central European University (CEU) and Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) held in CEU, Budapest, Hungary, 26-27th February, 2009.
  • 8. Paper presented “Rights of Women Workers in Global Manufacturing Enterprises: The Case of Bangladesh Garment Industry”, Eleventh International Conference in Commemoration of Marco Biaggi on “The transnational dimension of industrial relations: a new order in the making?” 18-19 March, University of Modena, Italy.
  • 9. Paper presented on “Labour Vulnerability of Global Women Workers: Can trade union bring any change? European Conference on Gender and Politics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Teaching

  • Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114 Bangladesh (February 28, 2014 - ), Professor, Department of Social Work
  • Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114 Bangladesh (December 28, 2010 - February 27, 2014), Associate Professor, Department of Social Work
  • Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114 Bangladesh ( February 19, 2004 - December 27, 2010) , Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work
  • Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet-3114 Bangladesh ( February 11, 2001 - February 18, 2004), Lecturer, Department of Social Work
  • Asian University of Bangladesh, (August 1, 2000 - February 10, 2001), Lecturer (part-time).

Awards & Recognition

  • PhD Research Fellowship: Ministry of Italian University and Research (MIUR) under research cycle XXVI for the year of 2010-2013.
  • Erasmus Mundus Masters Scholarships for Gemma Masters Programme in “Women and Gender Studies”: European Commission.
  • Masters Level Graduate Scholarship: University of Dhaka , Ramna, Bangladesh for two years, 1997-1998
  • Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Record, Islamic Bank Foundation Ltd., Bangladesh, 1992-1994
  • Award of Bangladesh Cantonment 1993, for securing the Eighteenth place in Humanities in HSC (Awarded by General Mustafizur Rahman, Chief of Staff, Bangladesh Army).
  • Board Scholarship 1993, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Jessore, Bangladesh, (Ministry of Education, Bangladesh), 1993-1996.

Graduate Supervision

  • 1. Empowerment of women tea workers: a study in Sylhet (PhD, Ongoing, Supervisor)
  • 2. Role of BRDB in alleviating rural poverty: A study (PhD, Completed, Co-supervisor)
  • 3. Employment Relations and Rights of Women Workers: a Study on Ceramic Industry of Bangladesh (PhD, Ongoing, Supervisor)
  • 4. Workers Unrest in Global Manufacturing: the Case of Readymade Garments in Bangladesh (PhD, Awarded in 2023, Supervisor)
  • 5. Climate change vulnerability and social protection: the case of Hoar people in Bangladesh (MPhil, Awarded in 2023, Supervisor)
  • 6. Disaster management through community capacity building: A Study in Haor areas of Bangladesh (MPhil, Awarded in 2023, Supervisor)
  • 7. Ensuring Labor Justice in Global Industries and the role of Corporations: A study on Bangladesh Garments Industry (Masters Thesis, Completed, supervisor)
  • 8. Social Exclusion and Vulnerability of HIV/AIDS affected people and the role of NGOs: a study in Sylhet (Masters Thesis, Completed, Supervisor)
  • 9. Improvement of quality education at secondary level in Sylhet (MPhil, Ongoing, Supervisor)
  • 10. Sustainable Development through Local Governance: A Study on Hakaluki Haor (MPhil, Ongoing, Supervisor)