Faculty Profile

Md. Ashraful Haque

Lecturer

Contact Information

  • Office Address: Lecturer Institute of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh
  • Phone: +8801706200677
  • Email: ashraful-anp@sust.edu

Biography

Reflecting on my role as a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), I see each step of my journey as a blend of rigorous research and a deep commitment to understanding the lives and challenges of diverse communities in Bangladesh. My path has been shaped by extensive fieldwork, particularly in areas like gender-based violence, public health, and community resilience. Each project has reinforced my belief that anthropology is more than an academic discipline—it’s a means to bring about social change and a bridge between academic insight and real-world impact.

Before joining SUST, I served as a Research Officer at icddr,b, from June 2022 to December 2023. This role allowed me to immerse myself in research that addressed complex public health and social welfare issues. I led field teams in conducting qualitative interviews, prepared detailed transcripts, and conducted extensive data analyses. Through this, I learned the importance of rigorous data quality management and close collaboration with both field personnel and higher management. Each project was a learning experience, underscoring the significance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding health challenges. Working with icddr,b provided me with a profound appreciation of how collaboration with diverse stakeholders can lead to insights that enrich research and inform effective policy.

My journey at icddr,b began even earlier, in October 2021, when I joined as a Senior Research Assistant. In this position, I engaged with projects funded by UN Women, UNICEF, and Care USA, each focusing on issues that I hold close to heart: violence against women, child marriage, and violence against children. Through these projects, I realized how deeply cultural and social factors influence these challenges, and I became committed to finding respectful, meaningful ways to engage with affected communities. Conducting sensitive interviews, moderating discussions, and building trust within communities taught me the importance of empathy, ethical rigor, and respect for participants' lived experiences. Each interaction helped sharpen my qualitative research skills and deepened my understanding of the social dynamics at play.

I have also worked as an Anthropologist with the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), where I contributed to studies on COVID-19 resilience and nutrition for displaced populations. These projects introduced me to the pressures of rapid data collection and analysis within tight deadlines, especially in response to urgent public health needs. This role reinforced the importance of adaptability and efficiency in field research and demonstrated the value of translating research findings into actionable recommendations. Collaborating on these and other projects with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Dhaka allowed me to apply my skills to studies on maternal and neonatal health, climate resilience, and indigenous well-being, expanding both my knowledge and commitment to public health and social equity.

At SUST, I aim to bring the insights and experiences gained from the field into the classroom, helping students see Anthropology as a tool for understanding and improving society. Each field experience, each community interaction, has shaped my perspective on the impact that focused, empathetic research can have. My journey continues as I work alongside my students and colleagues, constantly reminded of the transformative power of Anthropology in addressing social inequalities and contributing to meaningful change.

Here are the details: (As there is no option of adding previous experiences in the website system, I am adding those here, for your information)

PREVIOUS RESEARCH EXPERINCE

1.
Organization: icddr,b
Position: Research Officer
 Gender Equity and Rights Research Group, Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD)
Duration: Jun 2022 - Dec 2023 · 1 year 7 months

Supervisor: Dr. Ruchira Tabassum Naved, Emeritus Scientist, Gender Equity and Rights Research Group, Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD), icddr,b. Email: ruchira@icddrb.org

Key Responsibilities were to:

- Conduct qualitative interviews of study participants, Prepare transcripts;
- Transcribe and translate qualitative interviews;
- Understand study protocol and data collection techniques from supervisor;
- Compile and prepare progress report;
- Visit field sites extensively as per follow up schedule;
- Maintain effective liaison with management personnel at the study worksites;
- Arrange and facilitate meetings/trainings;
- Prepare meeting minutes; Keep regular communication with the supervisor to ensure smooth going of the project;
- Seek supervisor's guidance to resolve issues in obtaining appointment and interacting with management personnel and participants;
- Carry out qualitative analysis and produce periodic project report in order to proper implementation of the project.

Monitoring and Supervision:
- Check quality of data at the field;
- Ensure quality of data through direct observation;
- Validate and Observation of certain percentage of interview in order to capture relevant data and information for analysis.

People Management/Supervision:
- Adhere to gender diversity guidelines of the organization;
- Provide for an equitable environment for the development and growth of all team members;
- Direct and guide team leaders on resolving member complaints;
- Set goals, conduct appraisals and confront poor performance in a positive manner;
- Identify, mentor and reward high performers;
- Organize for training of team members in order to build and develop an engaged and high performing team.

Skills acquired: · Gender Equity · Violence against Children · Qualitative Research · Rights

2.
Organization: icddr,b
Position: Senior Research Assistant
Gender Equity and Rights Research Group, Health System and Population Studies Division (HSPSD)
Duration: Oct 2021 - May 2022 · 8 months

I was engaged with three different projects during the period which were funded by UN Women (About Violence against Women), Care USA (About Child Marriage) and Unicef (About Violence against Children)

Key Responsibilities were:
- Conduct qualitative interviews of study participants, Prepare transcripts;
- Transcribe and translate qualitative interviews;
- Understand study protocol and data collection techniques from supervisor;
- Compile and prepare progress report;
- Visit field sites extensively as per follow up schedule;
- Maintain effective liaison with management personnel at the study worksites;
- Arrange and facilitate meetings/trainings;
- Prepare meeting minutes; Keep regular communication with the supervisor to ensure smooth going of the project;
- Seek supervisor's guidance to resolve issues in obtaining appointment and interacting with management personnel and participants;
- Carry out qualitative analysis and produce periodic project report in order to proper implementation of the project.

Skills acquired: · Gender Based Violence · Violence against Children · Violence against Women · Workplace Violence Prevention

3.
Organization: Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB)
Position: Anthropologist
Duration: Dec 01-15, 2021 (15 Days)

Project Title: “Community Fort for Resisting Covid-19 in Bangladesh (CFRC): Research and Evaluation”.
Funded by: Brac

Key Responsibilities were:

- To organize all the primary data and set those in a spreadsheet for data display
- Analyzing and summarizing a large set of qualitative data on In-depth Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and Key Informant Interviews
- Writing the final report (qualitative section)

Skills acquired: · Qualitative Analysis · Qualitative Research · Qualitative Report Writing

4.
Organization: Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB)
Position: Anthropologist
Duration: Dec 16-31, 2021 (15 days)

Project Title: “Evaluation of the Nutrition sector's performance in the Rohingya humanitarian response in Cox's Bazar”
Funded by: Unicef

Key Responsibilities were:

- Analyzing and summarizing a large set of qualitative data on Key Informant Interviews

5.
Organization/Institution: Department of Anthropology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
Position: Research Associate
Duration: Mar 2021 - Aug 2021 · 6 months

Project Title: A Qualitative Study on the Conditions and Challenges Related to Maternal and Neonatal Health Services at Lovachora Tea Garden Area of Kanaighat, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Key Responsibilities were:

- Conducting IDIs with the household head, moderating FGDs with male tea-garden laborer and interviewing Government Officials implying KII
- Constructing community mapping, writing field experience and observation note and transcribing the interviews
- Analyzing qualitative data and assisting in report writing

Skills acquired: · MNCH · Report Writing · Biomedicine · Methodological Paper Writing · Community Mapping · Traditional Health Care

6.
Organization: House of Survey Research (SURCH)
Position: Research Assistant
Duration: Jun 2021 to Jul 2021 · 2 months

Project Title: Fear of Violence

Funded by: House of Survey Research (SURCH)
Implementing body: Department of Anthropology, University of Rajshahi

Key Responsibilities:

- Moderating FGDs with community peoples, conducting KII with CBCPC members and male respondents
- Taking field notes, transcribing and translating field data and writing field report

Skills acquired: · KII · FGD · Qualitative Research · Focused Transcription

7.
Organization: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (JHUCCP)
Position: Student Monitor and Supervisor
Duration: Jul 2019 - Dec 2020 · 1 year 6 months

Project Title: UJJIBAN Project

Key Responsibilities:

- Collecting primary data through conducting IDIs and Surveys
- Moderating FGDs of various aged groups on multi-issues, taking field-notes and writing the top-line report
- Organizing awareness build-up event (Nutri-Champs)
- Supervising the team and preparing the final report
- Pile sorting and Documentation

8.
Organization/Institution: Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka
Position: Research Associate
Duration: May 2020 - Oct 2020 · 6 months

Project Title: Biocultural Resources and Climate Change (BRCC Project)
Funded by Bangladesh Climate Change Trust

Key Responsibilities:

- Conducting household survey for measuring the vulnerability and resilience capacity of indigenous
communities
- Moderating GDs and preparing qualitative matrix; Conducting KII with government officials, local leaders and religious practitioners
- Writing case studies from data, qualitative data entry in Microsoft Excel and writing daily field report

Skills acquired: · Climate Change Mitigation · Biocultural Resources · Qualitative Report Writing · Climate Change Adaptation · Resilience

9.
Organization/Institution: Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka 
Position: Research Intern
Duration: Nov 2019 - Jan 2020 · 3 months

Project Title: Biocultural Resources and Climate Change (BRCC Project)
Funded by Bangladesh Climate Change Trust

Key Responsibilities:

- Conducting literature review, identifying the gap/problem

- Constructing semi-structured questionnaire and FGD guidelines

- Conducting GD, IDI, KII, Transcribing and translating field data and writing reflexive observation notes

Skills acquired: · Adaptation · Biocultural Resources · Indigenous Community · Climate Change · Resilience


MASTER THESIS (2021):

· Punjis of Lawachara: A Study on Economic Condition of Khasi People of Northeast, Bangladesh

   Supervisor: Professor Md. Mokhlesur Rahman

RESEARCH MONOGRAPH (2018):

· Rethinking the Crisis of Skilled Labor in Crop Agriculture: An Insight into the Connection between Policies, Institutional Education, and Agricultural Sustainability of Nuagaon, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

  Supervisor: Professor AFM Zakaria

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

1. Research and Proposal Writing in the Sciences- AuthorAID, UK- Certificate (2022)
2. Understanding Research Methods- University of London- Certificate (2021)
3. Evaluating Social Programs- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)- Certificate (2020)
4. Speak English Professionally - Georgia Institute of Technology - Certificate (2019)
5. Research Techniques in Social Sciences- SUST Research Centre, SUST, Bangladesh- Certificate (2018)

TRAININGS

• Training on "Preparation and publication of research articles in international journals and creating impact", Organized      by IQAC, SUST. May 20, 2024
• Training on "Data Collection, Field Strategies and Data Analysis on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Female Garments Workers (FGWs)", AdSEARCH Project, Organized by Gender, Equity and Rights Research Group, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Aug 28- Sep 06, 2022
• Training on "EndNote”, Organized by the Library and Information Services, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh. July 4, 2022
• Training on "Baseline Survey and Fieldwork Preparation on Violence Against Children", Unicef VAC Project, Organized by G,E&R, icddr,b, Dhaka. Feb 15-25, 2022
• Training on "Qualitative Data Collection for measuring the impact of Tipping Point - an intervention addressing adolescents’ life experiences in selected districts of Bangladesh", Organized by G,E&R, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Oct 09-22, 2021
• Training on "Gender Mainstreaming", Organized by Gender, Equity and Rights Research Group of HSPSD, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Oct 06-08, 2021
• Training on "Bio-cultural Resources and Climate Change: Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience of Small Ethnic Communities in Bangladesh (BRCC)", Organized by Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh Aug 31- Sep 1, 2019
• "E-Learning Course on Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation for SBCC Programs", Organized by JHUCCP; UJJIBAN SBCC project, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Feb 11, 2019
• Training and Field Orientation on "Research Methodology and Techniques- 02"- UJJIBAN SBCC project, Organized by JHUCCP, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Oct 7- 13, 2019
• Training on "Research Methodology and Techniques- 01", Organized by JHUCCP; UJJIBAN SBCC project, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sep 2-7, 2018
• Training on "Youth Hunger Leadership", Organized by British Council, SUST, Sylhet. May 15-22, 2015


LANGUAGES:
   English: International English Language Testing System_IELTS: Band 7
   French: Certificate_Fundamentals (3.94 out of 4.00, 2nd Position)
   Bengali: Native
   Sylheti (Dialect): Native

Education

  • MSS (Result published in 2022), Department of Anthropology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
  • BSS (Result published in 2019), Department of Anthropology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet

Research Interests

  • Social norms and Social change
  • Gender based violence (GBV)
  • Indigenous economy
  • Maternal and Child health
  • Climate Change, Adaptation and Resilience
  • Governmentality and Power-politics
  • Anarchist Anthropology

Active Research Project

  • Impact of climate change on Patra community: A way out through adaptation and resilience, 2024, Department of Anthropology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3100
  • Understanding knowledge, attitude and practice regarding WASH management at Natun Bazar char slum in Khulna, 2024, Department of Anthropology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3100
  • Exploring the Access and Barriers of Maternal Healthcare Services of Chakma Community at Galachipa para, Bandarban, 2024, Department of Anthropology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3100

Previous Research Project

  • A Qualitative Study on the Conditions and Challenges Related to Maternal and Neonatal Health Services at Lovachora Tea Garden Area of Kanaighat, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Department of Anthropology, Funded under University Grant Commission & Research Center, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet

Journal Publish

  • 1. Mahmud S, Hossain MF, Muyeed A, Nazneen S, Haque MA, Mazumder H, et al. (2024) Risk assessment and clinical implications of COVID-19 in multiple myeloma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 19(9): e0308463. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308463
  • 2. Choudhury, F. J., & Haque, M. A. (2021). The Intensity of Khasi Production: Understanding the Challenges of Modern Agriculture System in Betel Leaf Cultivation. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(5), 630–642. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.85.10255

External Affiliations

  • Adjunct Faculty, Army Institute of Business Administration (AIBA)
  • Advisor, Lens of Anthropology

Awards & Recognition

  • Peter Hoare and Mushtaq Rahman Scholarship - 2019
  • University Merit Scholarship- 2017
  • University Merit Scholarship- 2016
  • Champion (Manager), Inter-department Cricket Tournament (Male), 2024

Conference

  • 1. Hasan, M., Ahmed, R., Parvez, F. A., & Naima, M. T. N. (2024). Tea garden workers’ perception and adaptation strategies towards climate change in Sylhet: A qualitative study. In Md. A. Haque (Advisor), Proceedings of the 2nd South Asian Conference 2024 on “Unfolding Emerging Issues in the Context of Changing Climatic Scenario”. CCDB Climate Portal. Dhaka, Bangladesh. https://climateportal.ccdbbd.org/event/2nd-south-asian-conference-2024/
  • 2. Mia, C., Arif, FB., Kawser, N., Paul, P., Rahman, JKI., Haque, A., Ahmed, TK., Zakaria, AFM. 2023. Maternal care. risks, and violence: Toward an analysis of health inequalities in Bangladesh. Will present the paper at ‘Transitions’- American Anthropological Association/The Canadian Anthropology Society (AAA/CASCA) Annual Meeting, Toronto, 15-20th November
  • 3. Haque, M. A. and Rahman, M. (2019). “Contemporary Khasi Economy, Stability and Continuity: an insight into the existing mechanism at Lawachara and Magurchara Punji in Moulvibazar, Sylhet.” Paper presented at the ISRAA Conference at Ashrai, Rajshahi.
  • 4. Haque, M. A. and Zakaria, A. F. M. (2017). “Rethinking the Crisis of Skilled Labour in Crop Agriculture: an Insight into the Connection between Policies, Institutional Education, and Agricultural Sustainability of Nuagaon, Sylhet, Bangladesh.”. Paper presented at the BISR Conference at NAPD, Dhaka.
  • 5. Jahan Prima, I., Jhuma, C. F., & Haque, M. A. (2024). Breast cancer treatment and care for women with structural vulnerability: A qualitative study in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Paper presented at the International Public Health Conference 2024, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Teaching

  • Anthropological Theories of Convergent Period (ANP-353)
  • Biological Anthropology (ANP-233)
  • Bangladesh and International Studies

Graduate Supervision

  • Seminar Presentation Supervision, 2024.
  • Monograph Students Supervision, 2024. Students: 1. Syeda Shuraifa Najiba. Email: syedashuraifanajiba@gmail.com 2. Mashrufa Rahman. Email: mashrufaoishy20@gmail.com 3. Mst. Sumaya Akter. Email: mstsumaya14@gmail.com 4. Saima Jaman. Email: saimarainy34@gmail.com 5. Sowrav Kumar. Email: sowrav62@student.sust.edu

Social Media