Biography
Dr Zahid Shahab Ahmed is a researcher focusing on peace and security in South Asia and the Middle East.
His work examines the impacts of sectarianism and violent extremism on domestic, regional and global peace and security. He is also engaged in research and educational projects on countering violent extremism.
A Pakistani citizen, Dr Ahmed brings a much-needed citizen’s perspective to research on the country. He also brings rich grassroots level experience in the development sector in Asia to his research.
He has worked on numerous research assignments with Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Commonwealth Foundation, United States Institute of Peace, Transparency International, Global Integrity, and International Centre for Nonviolent Conflict during a decade long engagement with the development sector.
Dr Ahmed has published and presented papers on a wide range of issues, such as foreign policy, international organizations, Islam, peace and conflict, regionalism, and regional security. His recent papers have looked at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Dr Ahmed received his PhD in the area of Political and International Studies from the University of New England (UNE) in Australia. He has an MA in Peace Education from the United Nations mandated University for Peace (Costa Rica), and an MA in Sociology from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan).
During 2013-2015, he served as Assistant Professor at the Centre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad. He has previously taught at University of New England (Australia), Charles Sturt University (Australia), Iqra University (Pakistan) and Allama Iqbal Open University (Pakistan).
In July 2018, he presented a paper at the 25th World Congress of Political Science in Australia.
He has an excellent record of publications. He is the author of Regionalism and Regional Security in South Asia: The Role of SAARC (Routledge, 2013). He has published in prominent academic journals, including Democratization, Third World Quarterly, Asian Studies Review, Journal of Contemporary China, Global Policy, and Middle East Policy. He is regularly invited to write opinion pieces and do media commentary.
In recognition of his research, Dr. Ahmed has received several prestigious research awards/grants, such as Mahbub ul Haq Research Award (Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, Sri Lanka); Conflict Transformation Award (WISCOMP, India).
Research interests
Foreign Policy, Pakistan, Peace and conflict studies, South Asian Studies, International Organizations, Political Islam, and Religious Extremism.
Affiliations
1. Board Member, Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies, USA.
2. Board Member, International Peace Research Association (IPRA) Foundation, USA.
3. Academic Advisor, Educational Divide Reform, USA
4. Senior Associate, Empowerment through Creative Integration, Pakistan
5. Global Advisory Board Member, The Contact Project, USA
6. Board Member, South Asia Centre for Peace, Pakistan
7. Member, Alliance for Peacebuilding, USA
Units taught
a. Postgraduate Courses
National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan: Research Design in Peace and Conflict Studies; Research Methods in Social Sciences; Theories of Peace and Conflict.
University of New England, Australia: Islam in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Iqra University, Pakistan: Conflict and Conflict Resolution.
b. Undergraduate Courses
University of New England, Australia: Asian Pasts; Beyond Lies and Spin: Why Politics Matters; Political Ideologies; International Human Rights; Power, Conflict, and the Making of Modern Asia; Economic and Social Change in Southeast Asia Since 1850; Governance and Economic Development in South Asia; Industrialization and Development in Asia; Economy and Business in Modern Asia.
Charles Sturt University, Australia: Australia and Asia.
Knowledge areas
1. South Asian Studies
2. Political Islam
3. South Asian Foreign Affairs
4. Peace and Conflict Studies
Conferences
1. ‘Community-based conflict resolution strategies in Pakistan: A Case Study of Dispute Resolution Councils’, The Third International Forum on Social Conflict Prevention and Response, Melbourne, 24 October 2018.
2. ‘Impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative on conflict and cooperation in South Asia’, 25th World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane, 21-25 July 2018.
3. ‘Impact of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on peace and security in Pakistan’, Workshop on Global Perspectives of the Belt and Road Initiative: Maritime Studies and China’s Global Investment, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, 4-5 December 2017.
4. ‘Pakistan’s position on the Gulf crisis’, The Fourth Annual Gulf Studies Forum ‘The Role of Crisis: Regional and International Dynamics and the Role of the Media’, Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies, Doha, 2-4 December 2017.
5. ‘Countering Violent extremism through madrasas in Pakistan’, 4th Deakin Roundtable on Religion and Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, 25 October 2017.
6. ‘Impacts of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on peace and conflict in Pakistan’, International Conference on ‘Global Perspectives of One Belt One Road’, Deakin University, Melbourne, 15-16 August 2017.
7. ‘Refugee crises in South Asia: Is there a scope for inter-regional cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN?’, International Conference “Rethinking Governance in an Era of Global Insecurities, Regional Tensions and Rising Nationalism”, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 17-19 July 2017.
8. ‘The role of SAARC and the EU for managing refugees in South Asia and beyond’, International Conference on “Global Migration Governance: Sustainability, Security, and Resilience”, The Hague Institute for Global Justice, The Netherlands, 8-9 December 2016.
9. ‘Community-level peacebuilding in Pakistan’, National Peace Conference, Sahil and Government of Canada, Pakistan, 11 February 2016.
10. ‘Transforming culture of violence in Pakistan’, National Conference on “Citizen’s role in peacebuilding: engagement with public and other allies”, Oxfam-Novib, Pakistan, 4 February 2016.
11. ‘The impact of the conflict in Yemen on Pakistan’s relations with the GCC’, Gulf Studies Forum, Qatar, 5-7 December 2015.
12. ‘Contemporary geostrategic environment in Asia Pacific’, National Conference on “Emerging Geostrategic Landscape in South-West Asia and the Asia Pacific, Strategic Vision Institute and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Pakistan, 5-6 November 2015.
13. ‘Terrorism-related violence and trauma in Pakistan: implications for psychologists and policy’, 14th International Symposium on the Contributions of Psychology to Peace, South Africa, 29 May – 4 June 2015.
14. ‘Ways to achieve culture of non-violence and co-existence from culture of violence in Pakistan’, Conference on “Exploring Peace and Reconciliation Alternatives: Towards a Karachi for All”, Pakistan, 20-21 December 2014.
15. ‘Contextualizing Conflict Sensitivity: A Critical Analysis of PCIA Theory and Application in Pakistan’, 25th IPRA General Conference, Turkey, 11-15 August 2014.
16. ‘Impacts of terrorism on youth in Pakistan’. Joint Regional Conference 2013 “Governing Youth in South Asia”, Nepal, 22-24 September 2013.
17. ‘Regional responses to labour trafficking in South Asia: A case study of SAARC’. International Conference on “Regional Responses to Labour Trafficking and Refugee Movements in Asia-Pacific”, Australia, 26-27 September 2011.
Professional activities
1. 2016: Lead Organizer of the National Peace Conference, Sahil (NGO), Pakistan
2. 2014-15: Advisor on Conflict Sensitivity, Good Governance Program, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Pakistan
3. 2014: Co-Principal Evaluator with AAN Associates for “Evaluation of Countering Extremism, Promoting Peace and Religious Tolerance Grants (Pakistan)” for the United States Institute of Peace.
4. 2013: Principal Evaluator, South Asia Centre for Peace (Pakistan) for appraisal of following initiatives of Peace and Education Foundation in Pakistan: 1) University Certificate Program for Madrassah Teachers via the International Islamic University Islamabad; 2) Imam Training; & 3) Interfaith Training.
5. 2012-14: Researcher for a project “Assessing Impacts of Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA): A North-South Participatory Project”, York University and Peacemedia-paixmédia, Canada
6. 2013: Pakistan Specialist on “Peace and Conflict Assessment/Do No Harm” with GFA Consulting Group GmbH (Germany) for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) projects in Pakistan
7. 2007-11: Field Researcher & Reviewer-Pakistan, Global Integrity, USA
8. 2008: Country Expert/Peace building Specialist for evaluating Pakistan Madrassah Education Programme of the International Centre on Religion and Diplomacy (USA), Salam Institute of Peace & Justice, USA
9. 2005: Project Assistant for a project “Peace Education-Islamic Perspective”, United Nations University for Peace, Costa Rica
10. 2005: Independent Researcher for a study on National Youth Policy of Pakistan, Overseas Development Institute, UK
11. 2003: Analysis Expert for a research on child labor in Pakistan, American Center for International Labor Solidarity, Pakistan
Awards
1. 2008-12: Research Encouragement Awards, School of Humanities, University of New England, Australia
2. 2008: Australian Government’s Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) for PhD
3. 2008: University of New England Research Scholarship (UNERS) for PhD
4. 2005: University for Peace Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Projects
Research Projects
1. 2015-16: USIP funded project “Assessment of Peace Education Programs in Pakistan”.
2. 2015-16: AOARD (Tokyo, Japan) Research Grant for a project on “Patterns of Dehumanization and Humanization and the Development of Trust: Divisions Within and Between the Muslim World”. PIs: Prof. Noraini M. Noor (Malaysia) & Prof. Daniel J. Christie (USA). South Asia Team Leader: Dr Zahid Shahab Ahmed.
3. 2010-11: South-South Program Research Grant from the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, the Council for the Development of Social Sciences Research in Africa, and the Asian Political and International Studies Association.
4. 2007-09: Democracy Research Grant, International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC), USA.
5. 2007: Small Peace Research Grant, International Peace Research Association Foundation, USA.
6. 2005-06: Mahbub-ul-Haq Research Award, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS), Sri Lanka.
7. 2005-06: Conflict Transformation Award, Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP), India.
Publications
S Khan, Z Ahmed
(2024), pp. 1-15, Journal of Contemporary China, London, Eng., C1-1
Pakistan and the Gulf
Zahid Ahmed, Khurram Abbas
(2023), pp. 39-61, Regional Security in South Asia and the Gulf, London, Eng., B1
From Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to Imran Khan: A comparative analysis of populist leaders in Pakistan
Z Ahmed
(2023), pp. 176-189, The Routledge Handbook of Populism in the Asia Pacific, B1
Pakistan, Pan-Islamism, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
Zahid Ahmed, Shahram Akbarzadeh
(2023), Vol. 14, pp. 1-17, Religions, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Islam and the Politics of Secularism in Pakistan
Zahid Ahmed
(2023), Vol. 14, pp. 1-15, Religions, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Digital Authoritarianism and Activism for Digital Rights in Pakistan
Zahid Ahmed, Ihsan Yilmaz, Shahram Akbarzadeh, Galib Bashirov
(2023), Brussels, Belgium, A6
Howard Brasted, Imran Ahmed, Zahid Ahmed, Shahram Akbarzadeh
(2022), pp. 1-24, Religion, Extremism and Violence in South Asia, Berlin, Germany, B1
Women and Violent Extremism in Pakistan: A Critical Assessment of Policies and Actions
Farah Naz, Zahid Ahmed
(2022), pp. 213-235, Religion, Extremism and Violence in South Asia. Politics of South Asia, London, Eng., B1
Zahid Ahmed, Abdul Basit
(2022), pp. 113-130, Turkey's Asia Relations, Berlin, Germany, B1
Mango Diplomacy of South Asian Countries
Z Ahmed, M Jahanzaib
(2022), pp. 1-11, Journal of Asian and African Studies, London, Eng., C1
The Taliban's Takeover of Afghanistan and Pakistan's Non‐traditional Security Challenges
Z Shahab Ahmed
(2022), Vol. 13, pp. 125-131, Global Policy, London, England, C1
Zahid Ahmed, Munir Hussain
(2022), pp. 1-16, Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, London, Eng., C1
The Taliban's Takeover of Afghanistan and Pakistan's Terrorism Problem
Zahid Ahmed
(2022), Vol. 22, pp. 70-86, IPRI Journal, Islamabad, Pakistan, C1
M Jan, Z Ahmed
(2022), Vol. 21, pp. 546-575, India Review, London, Eng., C1
Islamist Populists in Power: Promises, Compromises and Attacks on Democratic Institutions
Ihsan Yilmaz, Zahid Ahmed, Galib Bashirov, Nicholas Morieson, Kainat Shakil
(2022), Brussels, Belgium, A6
Religion, Extremism and Violence in South Asia
Imran Ahmed, Zahid Ahmed, Howard Brasted, Shahram Akbarzadeh
(2022), Singapore, A7
The persistence of terrorism in Pakistan: an analysis of domestic and regional factors
A Basit, Z Ahmed
(2021), pp. 157-173, Terrorism, security and development in South Asia: national, regional and global implications, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Sectarianism and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Z Ahmed, S Akbarzadeh
(2021), Vol. 9, pp. 76-93, Territory, Politics, Governance, C1
Z Ahmed, S Bhatnagar, A AlQadri
(2021), Vol. 33, pp. 125-141, Global change, peace and security, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Dynamics of Trust and Mistrust in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Relationship
S Taye, Z Ahmed
(2021), Vol. 45, pp. 557-575, Asian Studies Review, C1
M Ittefaq, Z Ahmed, Y Martínez Pantoja
(2021), Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, C1
S Akbarzadeh, Z Ahmed, N Ibrahimi
(2021), Vol. 13, pp. 305-325, Asian Politics and Policy, C1
Soft power, hard power dynamics: the case of Iran in Afghanistan
Shahram Akbarzadeh, Zahid Ahmed, Niamatullah Ibrahimi
(2021), BRITISH JOURNAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES, C1
Z Ahmed, R Shahzad
(2021), Vol. 21, pp. 199-222, Conflict, Security and Development, C1
Islamists and the incremental Islamisation of Pakistan: the case of women's rights
Z Ahmed, I Yilmaz
(2021), Vol. 59, pp. 275-295, Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, C1
The Abraham Accords and Pakistan
Zahid Ahmed, Khurram Abbas
(2021), Vol. 28, pp. 147-165, Middle East Policy, London, Eng., C1
Impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative on regional stability in South Asia
Z Ahmed, M Haque Sheikh
(2021), Vol. 17, pp. 271-288, Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, C1
Zahid Ahmed, Ahsan Hanif, Baogang He
(2021), Vol. 13, pp. 5-18, East Asian Policy, Singapore, C1
Human trafficking in South Asia: Regional cooperation and responses
Zahid Ahmed
(2020), pp. 247-254, Routledge Handbook of South Asian Criminology, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Madaris and peace education in Pakistan: A case study of Peace and Education Foundation
Zahid Ahmed, R Bukhari
(2020), pp. 242-255, Locally led Peacebuilding: Global case studies, Lanham, Md., B1
Religious Fundamentalism and Violent Extremism
Zahid Ahmed, Galib Bashirov
(2020), pp. 245-260, The difficult task of peace : Crisis, fragility and conflict in an uncertain world, Berlin, Germany, B1
The Iranian Kurds' transnational links: impacts on mobilization and political ambitions
Shahram Akbarzadeh, Costas Laoutides, W Gourlay, Zahid Ahmed
(2020), Vol. 43, pp. 2275-2294, Ethnic and Racial Studies, London, Eng., C1
Military, Authoritarianism and Islam: A Comparative Analysis of Bangladesh and Pakistan
Md Sheikh, Zahid Ahmed
(2020), Vol. 13, pp. 1-28, Politics and Religion, Cambridge, Eng., C1
Z Ahmed, M Zahoor
(2020), Vol. 31, pp. 85-103, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, C1
Pakistan caught between Iran and Saudi Arabia
Z Ahmed, S Akbarzadeh
(2020), Vol. 28, pp. 336-350, Contemporary South Asia, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Geopolitics of landlocked states in South Asia: a comparative analysis of Afghanistan and Nepal
Stuti Bhatnagar, Zahid Shahab Ahmed
(2020), Vol. 75, pp. 60-79, Australian journal of international affairs, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Challenges and opportunities for peace educators: Lessons from a youth‐led effort in Pakistan
Fatima Bokhari, Zahid Ahmed
(2020), Vol. 38, pp. 73-86, Conflict Resolution Quarterly, Chichester, Eng., C1
Drivers of violent extremism in higher education institutions of Pakistan
Z Ahmed, Q Jafri
(2020), Vol. 13, pp. 230-244, Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, London, Eng., C1
Z Ahmed
(2019), Vol. 109, pp. 308-326, Muslim world, Chichester, Eng., C1
Impact of the China-Pakistan economic corridor on nation-building in Pakistan
Z Ahmed
(2019), Vol. 28, pp. 400-414, Journal of contemporary China, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Bangladesh-Pakistan relations: hostage to a traumatic past
Z Ahmed, M Zahoor
(2019), Vol. 57, pp. 31-51, Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Structural violence and terrorism in the federally administered tribal areas of Pakistan
K Zeb, Z Ahmed
(2019), Vol. 21, pp. 1-24, Civil Wars, London, Eng., C1
Managing the refugee crises in South Asia: the role of SAARC
Z Ahmed
(2019), Vol. 28, pp. 210-219, Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, London, Eng., C1
The Kurds in Iran: balancing national and ethnic identity in a securitised environment
S Akbarzadeh, Z Ahmed, C Laoutides, W Gourlay
(2019), Vol. 40, pp. 1145-1162, Third World Quarterly, C1
Conflict or Cooperation? India and Pakistan in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Z Ahmed, S Ahmed, S Bhatnagar
(2019), Vol. 34, pp. 5-30, Pacific Focus, C1
Lessons from the European Union's economic integration for South Asian regionalism
Z Ahmed, M Hussain
(2019), Vol. 35, pp. 325-345, Journal of Developing Societies, London, Eng., C1
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in social media: a critical discourse analysis
Zahid Ahmed, Silada Rojratanakiat, Soravis Taekasem
(2019), Los Angeles, A6
The Syrian refugee crisis and the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
Z Ahmed
(2018), pp. 115-126, Global perspectives on human migration, asylum, and security, Hershey, Pa., B1
Impacts of Saudi hegemony on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
S Akbarzadeh, Z Ahmed
(2018), Vol. 31, pp. 297-311, International journal of politics, culture and society, New York, N.Y., C1
Pashtun Jirgas, their potential in Pak-Afghan reconciliation and national reconstruction
Z Ahmed, F Yousaf
(2018), Vol. 38, pp. 57-74, South Asia Research, New Delhi, India, C1
Z Ahmed
(2018), Vol. 9, pp. 76-84, Global policy, Chichester, Eng., C1
A critique of the need and application of peace education in Pakistan
Z Ahmed
(2018), Vol. 6, pp. 99-112, Asian journal of peacebuilding, Seoul, South Korea, C1
The India-Iran-Pakistan Triad: comprehending the correlation of geo-economics and geopolitics
Z Ahmed, Stuti Bhatnagar
(2018), Vol. 42, pp. 517-536, Asian studies review, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Socio-economic and political determinants of terrorism in Pakistan: University students' perceptions
Z Ahmed, Farooq Yousaf, Khan Zeb
(2018), Vol. 52, pp. 130-145, International studies, London, Eng., C1
Water and communities in South Asia: a case for regional cooperation
Venkat Pulla, Z Ahmed, Manohar Pawar
(2018), Vol. 6, pp. 23-40, Space and culture, India, North Shields, England, C1
Idealism Versus Pragmatism in Teaching Peace in Pakistan
Z Ahmed
(2018), Vol. 30, pp. 331-338, Peace Review, C1
Understanding Pakistan's relationship with Iran
Z Ahmed, S Akbarzadeh
(2018), Vol. 25, pp. 86-100, Middle East Policy, C1
Perception of foreign drone strikes by citizens: the context of US drone strikes in Pakistan
Z Ahmed, Bert Jenkins, Waseem Iftikhar
(2017), Vol. 24, pp. 135-157, South Asian survey, London, Eng., C1
National Identity Formation in Pakistan: Analysis of the Anti-Secular Narrative
Zahid Ahmed
(2017), Vol. 1, pp. 63-73, Journal of Citizenship and Globalisation Studies, Melbourne, Vic., C1
Regionalism and regional security in South Asia: the role of SAARC
Z Ahmed
(2016), Abingdon, Eng., A1-1
A Hoti, Z Ahmed
(2016), pp. 369-385, Violence and society: breakthroughs in research and practice, [Hershey, Pa.], B1-1
H Daniel, Z Ahmed
(2015), pp. 307-328, Adaptation to climate change through water resources management: capacity, equity and sustainability, Abingdon, Eng., B1-1
The political economy of Pakistan's 'war on terror'
H Brasted, Z Ahmed
(2015), pp. 114-131, The political economy of conflict in South Asia, Baskingstoke, Eng., B1-1
Conflict or cooperation? The role of India and Pakistan in post-2014 Afghanistan
Z Ahmed, S Bhatnagar
(2015), Vol. 30, pp. 259-276, South Asian studies : a research journal of South Asian studies, Lahore, Pakistan, C1-1
Afghanistan in SAARC: a critical assessment of organisational expansion
Z Ahmed, M Zahoor
(2015), Vol. 22, pp. 171-188, South Asian survey, London, Eng., C1
Regionalism and regional security in South Asia: the role of SAARC
Z Ahmed
(2013), Surrey, Eng., A1-1
Z Ahmed, Z Choudhri
(2013), pp. 208-216, Islamic images and ideas: essays on sacred symbolism, Jefferson, N.C., B1-1
Fighting for the rule of law: civil resistance and the lawyers' movement in Pakistan
Z Ahmed
(2010), Vol. 17, pp. 492-513, Democratization, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Religious Populism, Emotions and Political Mobilisation
Prof Ihsan Yilmaz, Prof Greg Barton, Dr Zahid Ahmed
ARC - Discovery Projects
- 2024: $34,350
- 2023: $170,883
- 2022: $115,319
Industry and Other Funding
State and Society in Iran: Identity and the Securitisation of Minority Policies
Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, A/Prof Costas Laoutides, Dr Zahid Ahmed
Gerda Henkel Foundation
- 2018: $23,954
- 2017: $71,911
For assessing the impact of external actors in the Syrian and Afghan proxy wars
Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, Dr Dara Conduit, Dr Zahid Ahmed
Carnegie Corporation of New York
- 2020: $226,755
- 2018: $344,282
Capacity Building for the Management Team of the Indonesian Islamic International University.
Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, Dr Zahid Ahmed
TETRA TECH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD
- 2023: $100,159
- 2022: $179,632
Supervisions
Seema Khan
Thesis entitled: The M¿lange of Violence in Balochistan: Regional Context and External Factors
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Ghollam Farasoo
Thesis entitled: The Impacts of Proxy War on Afghanistan
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Safiullah Taye
Thesis entitled: Negotiating a Securitised aid within a Fragile State: Afghanistan¿s challenges in negotiating subnational aid allocation (Australia and Germany 2002-2018)
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences