Faculty Profile

Dr. Laila Ashrafun

Professor

Contact Information

  • Office Address: Professor Institute of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh
  • Phone: +8801716222070
  • Email: laila-soc@sust.edu, as_joya@yahoo.com

Biography

I currently hold the position of Professor in the Department of Sociology at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST).
As of May 1, 2023, I have taken on the profound responsibility of serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at SUST. This appointment is a tremendous privilege, and in my capacity as Dean, I fulfill multifaceted leadership duties. My role encompasses membership in some of the most important decision-making bodies at the university, including:
1. The Syndicate - the highest governing body,
2. The University Academic Council,
3. Chairmanship of the SUST Institutional Repository (IR) Committee,
4. The Board of Advanced Studies,
5. The Disciplinary Committee,
6. The University Organogram Committee,
7. The University Examination Ordinance Committee, and
8. SUST Language Centre.
I hold the position of Global Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, atson Institute, Brown University.
I was privileged to serve as the Head of the Department of Sociology from June 8, 2018, to June 7, 2021. In this impactful capacity, I assumed an essential leadership role, which allowed me to make substantive contributions as a member of both the Academic Council and the Board of Advanced Studies, two pillars of our scholarly community.
My academic odyssey commenced on October 25, 1999, when I assumed the role of Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at SUST. My commitment to the department has remained steadfast ever since. In 2002, I ascended to the rank of Assistant Professor, a status that was further elevated on July 7, 2010, when I was promoted to the position of Associate Professor. Subsequently, I reached the pinnacle of academic achievement by securing the rank of Professor on November 17, 2013, marking a continuous trajectory of growth in this esteemed department.
Turning to my academic pedigree, my educational journey began with the successful completion of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. Both accomplishments were characterized by first divisions, achieved in 1989 and 1991, respectively, at Vicarunneesa Noon School and College under the aegis of the Dhaka Board.
Subsequently, my academic voyage led to the acquisition of three Master's degrees and a Doctorate. Notably, I earned my BSS (Hons, 1994) and MSS (1995) degrees in Sociology from the University of Dhaka, each marked by exemplary academic performance and top-ranking positions, achieving a first-class distinction. I further expanded my academic horizons by obtaining a Master's degree in Public Health (MPH, 2000) from the University of Dhaka.
A pivotal moment in my academic trajectory occurred with the completion of a third Master of Social Sciences (MSS, 2004) in Development Studies from Uppsala University. This accomplishment was further distinguished by the receipt of the Swedish Institute (SI) scholarship, a prestigious accolade endorsed by the Swedish government.
The pinnacle of my academic endeavors materialized with the conferral of a Ph.D. (April 2013) in Sociology from the University of Helsinki. Throughout the pursuit of my doctoral studies, I had the honor of being a recipient of the CIMO scholarship from 2008 to 2010. Subsequently, I was awarded the esteemed Ph.D. Research Grant by the Academy of Finland, marked by the grant number SA 138232, spanning from 2011 to 2013.
My doctoral dissertation, "Seeking A Way Out of the Cage: Underprivileged Women and Domestic Violence in Bangladesh," explored the complex tapestry of domestic violence across various contexts, emphasizing women's lived experiences. This seminal work culminated in my book, "Women and Domestic Violence in Bangladesh: Seeking A Way Out of the Cage,"(2018) published by Routledge in London. The book examines how shifting socioeconomic paradigms, urbanization, and women's evolving workforce roles intersect with domestic violence. It portrays domestic violence as intricately interwoven within institutionalized social relationships, arising from family, kinship, and gender dynamics. The work identifies contributing factors, mechanisms of perpetuation, and avenues for mitigation, underscoring women's empowerment to address domestic violence through legal and personal means. This pioneering contribution to gender studies offers unique perspectives on the complex gender dynamics permeating Bangladeshi women's familial and societal lives. Its pertinence extends across sociology, gender studies, law, and South Asian studies.
My educational pursuits span a broad spectrum, ranging from the undergraduate to the graduate level. The courses I offer cover a diverse array of themes, including Sociology of Gender, Gender in South Asia, Sociology of Health and Illness, and Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theories. In my pedagogical approach, I emphasize the critical importance of comprehending class, caste, and gender within the fabric of daily social interactions. This understanding is relevant in both rural and urban contexts, as well as on the global stage of knowledge generation.
To fortify my research initiatives, I have conducted qualitative-ethnographic fieldwork across diverse settings, encompassing both rural and urban landscapes in Bangladesh.

Education

  • PhD in Sociology, University of Helsinki (April 2013), dissertation with a grade Magna Cum Laude Approbatur.
  • Master of Development Studies (2004), Uppsala University, Sweden.
  • Master of Public Health in Health Education (1999), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Master of Social Sciences in Sociology (1995, held in 1997), First class, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sociology (1994, held in 1995), First class, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Higher Secondary Certificate (1991), First divison, Dhaka Board, Bangladesh.
  • Secondary School Certificate (1989), First divison, Dhaka Board, Bangladesh.

Research Interests

  • Feminism
  • Sociology of Gender
  • Violence Against Women
  • Health and Illness

Active Research Project

  • The Distorted Identity: Women's Person-hood and Agency at Marital Breakdown in Bangladesh (Funded by SUST Research Centre)

Previous Research Project

  • The Dilemma between Public and Private Social Capital: a study on microcredit involvement and the creation of social capital in rural Bangladesh.

Journal Publish

  • 1. Ashrafun, L., Uddin, M.J, & Debnath, D. (2024). Caregiver Narratives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring Symptom Recognition, Diagnosis, and Interventions. J Autism Dev Disord.
  • 2. Uddin, M.J., & Ashrafun, L. (2023) Parenting in context: parents’ experiences of caring for a child with autism in Bangladesh
  • 3. Book: Ashrafun, L. (2018). Women and Domestic Violence in Bangladesh: Seeking A Way out of the Cage. Routledge: London & New York
  • 4. Book Review: Ashrafun, L. (2016). The Micro-politics of Microcredit- Gender and Neoliberal Development in Bangladesh by Mohammad Jasim Uddin (Routledge, 2015). Contemporary South Asia (Routledge, March 2016).
  • 5. Uddin, M.J., Ashrafun, L, & et.al. (2017). Patient satisfaction with doctors’ care in Bangladesh: A case of government hospital. J Fam Med 4 (6), 1132
  • 6. Ashrafun, L. (2016). Correlates of Age at First Birth among the Slum Dwellers in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Chinese Journal of Population Resources and Environment (Taylor and Francis), February, 2016.
  • 7. Ashrafun, L. (2015). Gender-based Violence in Bangladesh: Culture, Development and Changing Contexts. Developemnt Review- A journal of National Academy for Planning and Developemnt, Vol. 24, June 2015.
  • 8. Ashrafun, L. (2015). Gender-based Violence in Bangladesh: Culture, Development and Changing Contexts. Development Review, vol. 24
  • 9. Ashrafun, L. & Savaala, M. (2014). Domestic Violence Made Public: A case study of the use of alternative dispute resolution among underprivileged women in Bangladesh. Contemporary South Asia, Vol. 22 (2), Routledge, June 2014.
  • 10. Book: Ashrafun, L. (2013). Seeking A Way Out of the Cage: Underprivileged Women and Domestic Violence in Bangladesh. The Helsinki University Press, Helsinki, Finland. ISSN 1798-9140, ISBN 978-952-10-7671-8.
  • 11. Ashrafun, Laila & Uddin, M.J.(2011). Factors Determining Inpatient Satisfaction wjth Hospital Care in Bangladesh. Asian Social Science. Canadian Center of Science and Education, Vol. 7, No. 6 June 2011.
  • 12. Uddin,M.J. & Ashrafun, L. (2011). Daughters of the Dark: A Qualitative Study of Street-based Sex Workers in Bangladesh. Journal of the Finnish Anthropological Society, Vol. 36, No. 3 Autumn 2011.
  • 13. Ashrafun, L. & Uddin, M.J. (2010). Fertility Practices: A Qualitative Study of a Slum in Sylhet, Bangladesh. IUB Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol.8 No1, 2010.
  • 14. Uddin,M.J. & Ashrafun, L. (2010). The Dilemma of Politics and Development in Bangladesh. Working Paper No. 10, Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences.
  • 15. Ashrafun, L. (2008): Effect of Educational Intervention on Some selected aspects of HIV/ AIDS of two Selected Department of Dhaka University. An annotate bibliography, NIPORT Journal, 2008, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • 16. Uddin, M. J. & Ashrafun, Laila (2007). Good Governance and Development: Lessons for Developing Countries. Asian Affairs, July-Sept 2007.
  • 17. Ashrafun, Laila & Uddin, M.J. (2007). Micro-Credit, Women Empowerment and Rural Development in Bangladesh (in Bengali). Palli Unnayan -A Journal of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development- BARD.
  • 18. Ashrafun, Laila & Uddin, M. J. (2005) : Women, Empowerment and Development. Asian Affairs, January-March 2005.
  • 19. Uddin, M.J. & Ashrafun, L. (2005). Conditional Aid and Good Governance: Exploring the Linkages. BIISS journal, Vol.26,No.1.2005,pp.31-54.

External Affiliations

  • 08.07-2018- 07.07. 2021: Head, Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST), Sylhet.
  • 08.07-2018- to the date: Member, Academic Council, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST), Sylhet.
  • 08.07-2018- to the date: Member, Board of Advanced Studies, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST), Sylhet.
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, SUST
  • October 12, 2023- to the date: Member of the Syndicate
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Member of the University Academic Council
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Chairmanship of the SUST Institutional Repository (IR) Committee
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: The Board of Advanced Studies
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Member of the Disciplinary Committee
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Member of the University Organogram Committee
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Member of the University Examination Ordinance Committee
  • May 1, 2023- to the date: Member of SUST Language Centre.
  • January 2022- to the date: Global Fellow, Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, Watson Institute, Brown University

Awards & Recognition

  • PhD Research Grant, Academy of Finland (Grant no SA 138232), From 2011-2012.
  • CIMO Fellowship for Doctoral Studies at University of Helsinki: From December 2009 to April 2010.
  • CIMO Fellowship for Doctoral Studies at University of Helsinki: From January 2009 to November 2009.
  • Swedish Institute Scholarship (SI) for Master of Development Studies Degree at Uppsala University, Sweden, From 2003-2004.
  • Dhaka University merit scholarship for BSS (Hons) and MSS Degrees in Sociology: From 1992 to 1995.

Teaching

  • 17.11.2013- to the date: Professor, Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology,Sylhet-3114,Bangladesh.
  • 8.7.2010-16.11.2013: Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology,Sylhet-3114,Bangladesh.
  • 25.10.2002- 7.7.2010: Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology,Sylhet-3114,Bangladesh.
  • 25.10.1999- 24.10.2002: Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology,Sylhet-3114,Bangladesh.
  • 01.01.2011- 31.12.2012: Worked as a full-time teaching and research personnel, Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, Finaland.

Graduate Supervision

  • (Some Selected): Inpatients’ Satisfaction about Hospital Treatment: A comparative Study of Two Government Medical College Hospitals in Bangladesh.
  • Social Life of A Slum in Sylhet City Coporation : A Case Study
  • The Role of N.G.O in Poverty Alleviation in Rural Bangladesh: A Case Study.
  • Women and Empowerment : A Study among the working women in Banking sector.
  • Reproductive Health Care: A Study in Sylhet City Corporation area, Bangladesh
  • Drug addiction among the youth of Bangladesh: A Study in Comilla city