Department of Sociology
Faculty
Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social SciencesAddress
A/2, Jahurul Islam Avenue
Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar
Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
- Master of Social Science (MSS) in Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) in Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Manzuma Ahsan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She earned both her Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) and Master of Social Science (MSS) in Sociology from the University of Dhaka with First Class distinctions. Before joining East West University, she worked extensively in the development sector, conducting research and consultancy assignments for organizations including UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, ILO, IOM, and several national and international NGOs. Her professional experience has enriched her teaching and research by integrating evidence-based knowledge with practical perspectives on contemporary social and development issues.
Since joining East West University, she has been actively engaged in undergraduate teaching, curriculum development, and student mentoring. Her teaching emphasizes critical thinking, participatory learning, and the application of sociological theories through case studies, fieldwork, media analysis, and reflective learning. She mentors students in research, internships, and field-based projects, fostering an inclusive and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Her research focuses on gender, urban studies, migration, education, and development. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and contributed in international book chapters. She has presented her research at leading international academic forums, including the International Sociological Association (ISA) World Congress, the Collaborative Research Center Affective Societies at Freie Universität Berlin, the 44th International Labour Process Conference (ILPC 2026) at the University of Leeds, and the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Annual Conference 2026. She is currently engaged in a funded research project examining ethnicity, globalization, and social change among the Santal community in Bangladesh using participatory and mixed-method approaches.
Beyond teaching and research, she actively contributes to academic leadership and institutional development. She served as Moderator of the Sociology Club from Summer 2019 to Summer 2024, promoting students' academic, leadership, and community engagement through diverse co-curricular initiatives. She has also served on departmental and curriculum committees, contributed to accreditation and quality assurance activities, and was a member of the organizing committee of the 1st Multidisciplinary International Conference on the Social and Life Sciences (ICSL 2020) by East West University. She remains committed to advancing academic excellence, collaborative learning, ethical leadership, and socially engaged scholarship.
Current Position
- Senior Lecturer (January 2023 - present)
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS), East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Performing responsibilities of:
- Teaching at undergraduate level
- Assisting the curriculum development based on Outcome-Based Education (OBE)
- Working with accreditation process of Sociology at EWU for Bangladesh Accreditation Council (BAC)
- Supervising research monograph and internship projects
Conducting academic research
Previous Position
- Lecturer (May 2019 - December 2022)
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS), East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Relevant Training:
Training on ‘Qualitative Research’, organized by Center for Research and Training East West University (CRTEWU) in April-May, 2024 at East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
“Scopus Database Training”, organized by East West University Library on 21 November 2019 at East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
“Teaching and Learning Methods and Practices”, organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), East West University on 13-14 September 2019 at East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
"Following the Research Workflow using Elsevier’s Tool", organized by East West University Library on 9 July 2019 at East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Past Positions:
- Research Consultant, (January 2015 – March 2019), Human Development Research Centre (HDRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Senior Research Associate, (June 2012 – December 2014), Human Development Research Centre (HDRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Research Associate, (June 2010 – May 2012), Human Development Research Centre (HDRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Lecturer (Adjunct), (March 2010 – October 2012), The Bangladesh Open University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Program Officer, (December 2008 – December 2009), Development of Biotechnology and Environmental Conservation Centre (DEBTEC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Past Training:
- "Computer Application software of Atlas.ti (The Qualitative Data Analysis and Research Software)", organized by Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) in October 2016 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- "22nd Advanced Training on Research Techniques in Social Science-2010", organized by ‘Bureau of Economic Research’, University of Dhaka in May 2010 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- "Computer application software of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)", organized by Department of Statistics, Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Dhaka from October to November, 2009 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- "Course in English Language", from British Council Teaching Centre in May-August 1998 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Gender, Women empowerment & rights, Women & femininity, Men & masculinity; Human rights (focusing VAO, GBV, IPV)
Urban issues, Migration, Education, Poverty, Indigenous peoples, Environment, Culture
Ahsan, M. (2026). Differentiated Informality: Gender, Ethnicity, and Inequality in the Urban Beauty Industry Sector of Bangladesh. 59th Annual Conference of the Canadaian Sociological Associatipon (CSA) 2026, June 2026. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. https://event.fourwaves.com/2026-csa-scs-annual-conference/abstracts/afde0bc5-ece8-4749-8d68-b96805641de5
Ahsan, M. (2026). Career Aspiration and Digital Work Pathways: Exploring School-to-Work Transitions among University Students in Bangladesh. 59th Annual Conference of the Canadaian Sociological Association (CSA) 2026, June 2026. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. https://event.fourwaves.com/2026-csa-scs-annual-conference/abstracts/bbdb2a19-36ff-46b0-ab87-cbf2159060c5
Ahsan, M. (2026). Gendered Inequalities and The Labour Process in Informal Domestic Work: Insights from Urban Bangladesh. 44th International Labour Process Conference 2026, April 2026. Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
Ahsan, M. (2025). The ‘Chhuta Bua’ Culture ın Bangladesh : Explorıng Women Empowerment ın The Urban Informal Employment Sector. Book of Abstracts of 5th ISA Forum of Sociology (ISSN 2522-7300), P. 16. International Sociological Association, July 2025, Rabat, Morocco. https://www.isa-sociology.org/uploads/imgen/2252-5th-isa-forum-of-sociology-abstracts-book.pdf
Ahsan, M. (2025). Contentıous Emotıons: Explorıng Dynamıcs And Challenges In Bangladesh. Workshop on ‘Contested emotion in Feminist Literature, Art, and Activism,’ March 2025. Collaborative Research Center Affective Societies, Freier University of Berlin, Germany.
Ahsan, M. (2023). Dreams Versus Realıty: Perceptıons Of Unıversıty Students On Educatıon For Career Development. International Conference on Academic Studies in Science and Education (ICASSE), December 2023. International Society for Academic Research in Science, Technology, and Education (ARSTE), Istanbul, Turkey,
Ahsan, M. (2023). The Cultural Construction of Women through Language: Exploring Gender Identity in Bangladesh. Book of Abstracts of XX ISA World Congress of Sociology (ISSN 2522-7025), P. 14. International Sociological Association, June 25-July 1, 2023, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. https://www.isa-sociology.org/uploads/imgen/1579-isa-wcs2023-book-of-abstracts.pdf
Ahsan, M. (2022). Employment Challenges And Online Based Micro Entrepreneurships: Possibilities In Bangladesh. 10th EJSER International Symposium on Social Sciences, November 2022. Eurasian Journal of Social and Economic Research (EJSER), Ankara, Turkey,
Ahsan, M. (2022). Exploring Urban Poverty In Bangladesh : Dynamics, Coping Strategies And Beyond. Interdisciplinary World Congress of Urban Studies: Urban Poverty and Homelessness, August 2022. Istanbul Topkapı University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ahsan, M. (2021). Education In 'New Normal' : Problems And Prospects Of Tertiary Level Students In Bangladesh. Symposium on Rethinking Alienation Beyond The Pandemic - From Local To Global: The New Normal From Theory To Practice', May 2021. Istanbul Ayvansaray University (IAU); Istanbul, Turkey.
Ahsan, M. (2020). Women and Migration: A Sociological Review on the Current Trends and Future of Women Migration in Bangladesh. 2nd International Congress on Women and Politics in a Global World, December 2020. Istanbul Ayvansaray University (IAU); Istanbul, Turkey.
Ahsan, M. (2020). Sexual Harassment in Education Institutions: A Sociological Analysis. 1st Multidisciplinary International Conference on the Social and Life Science: Gender, Health, Information, and Environment (ICSL 2020), February 2020. East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Ahsan, M. (2009). The Cultural Construction of Women: A Comparative Sociological Study on the Urban and the Rural Societies of Bangladesh. Unpublished Masters Thesis under the Supervision of Dr. A.I. Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.
Ahsan, M. (2008). Sexual Relationship and Media Image: Men’s Desires over Women’s Performances – An Application on Jean Baudrillard’s Concept of ‘Simulacra and Simulations’. Unpublished monograph under the Supervision of Dr. A.I. Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.
Ahsan, M. (2007). Consensual Poverty and Social Exclusion in Urban Bangladesh under ‘Poverty and the Social Exclusion in Dhaka City in 2007’. Unpublished monograph under the Supervision of Dr. A.I. Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.
Ahsan, M. (2007). The Impact of the ‘Internet’ on the Teenage Users: A Sociological Study in Dhaka City. Unpublished monograph under the Supervision of Dr. Shah Ehsan Habib, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.
Ahsan, M. (2005). The Dynamics of Changes in the Agrarian Structure – How did it happen historically? Unpublished monograph under the Supervision of Dr. Monirul I Khan, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.
Ahsan, M. (2023). Exploring Urban Poverty in Bangladesh: Dynamics, Coping Strategies and Beyond. Topkapi Journal of Social Sciences, Vol 1: Issue 3, Istanbul Topkapı University, Turkey, P. 91. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2707880
Ahsan, M. (2021). Education in New Normal: Problems and Prospects of Tertiary Level Students in Bangladesh in Z.B. Dalaman, (ed). New Normal Beyond The Pandemic: Rethinking Alienation From Local To Global. Transnational Press London, P. 269. https://www.tplondon.com/product/pandemic-alienation/
Ahsan, M (2021). Women and Migration: A Sociological Review on the Current Trends and Future of Women Migration in Bangladesh in Z.B. Dalaman, (ed). Women and Politics in a Global World II. Transnational Press London, P. 165. https://www.tplondon.com/product/women-politics/
Barkat, A., Islam, M. W., Ahsan, M., & Osman, A. (2019). "Land Grabbing: A Quest for the Loopholes in Land Laws" In Barkat, A., (Ed.), Bangladesh Land Status Report 2017: Land Grabbing in a Rent Seeking Society. Dhaka: Muktobuddhi Publishers, (pp. 41–72).
Barkat, A., Poddar, A., Ahsan, M., Osman, A., & Ahamed, F. M. (2019). Baseline Survey of The National Urban Poverty Reduction Project (NUPRP). Dhaka: UNDP, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Ahmed, SK Ali., Osman, A., & Ahsan, M. (2018). Initial ideas on Migration Governance Framework for Bangladesh. Dhaka: International Organization for Migration (IOM), Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Ahamed, F. M., Osman, A., & Ahsan, M. (2018). Baseline Survey of SWAPNO (Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities) 2nd Cycle. Dhaka: SWAPNO, UNDP, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., & Ahsan, M. (2017). "International Migration, Social Protection and Rights". In Thematic Research on Migration and Development (pp. 121–194). Dhaka: International Organization for Migration (IOM), Bangladesh. https://bangladesh.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1006/files/documents/report-of-thematic-research-book.pdf
Barkat, A., Suhrawardy, G.M., Ahamed, F.M., & Ahsan, M. (2017). In depth Monitoring Study Report: ‘Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar’ (One House One Farm) Project. Dhaka: Local Government and Rural Development Sector, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Ahsan, M., Osman, A., & Ahmed, SK Ali. (2017). Skills Demand Survey in Information and Communication Technology Sector. Dhaka: Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), Government of Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Rahman, M., Osman, A., Suhrawardy, G.M., Ahsan, M., & Ahamed, F.M. (2016). Baseline Study of the Nuton Jibon Livelihood Improvement Project (NJLIP). Dhaka: Social Development Foundation (SDF), Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Mazid, M., Ahamed, F. M., & Ahsan, M. (2016). Baseline study of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Rights in Disaster prone Areas of Bangladesh. Dhaka: Marie Stopes Bangladesh and Plan International.
Barkat, A., Poddar, A., Osman, A., Ahmed, SK Ali., Ahsan, M., Suhrawardy, G.M., & Dowlah MN. (2016). "Women's Dairy Entrepreneurship in Rural Bangladesh", conducted under 'Developing and Executing an Influencing Strategy/Advocacy Strategy for Gendered Enterprise Markets (GEM) and Enterprise Development Program (EDP) Components' of Oxfam GB. Dhaka: UKAid and Oxfam GB, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Osman, A., Soren, R., Suhrawardy, G.M. & Ahsan, M. (2015). Baseline study on Identity based Discrimination & Economic Disparity through Comparison between the Mainstream and Indigenous Communities at Northern Districts of Bangladesh. Dhaka: Oxfam GB, Bangladesh.
Poddar, A., Ahamed, F.M., Noor, T.R., & Ahsan, M. (2015). Settlement and Living Conditions Index Impact Study (Qualitative Part) under 'Study of Core Infrastructure in The Urban Settlements of Bangladesh'. Dhaka: Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction (UPPR).
Barkat, A., Mazid, M., Mahiyuddin, G., Ahsan, M., Ahamed, F. M., Ali, M., & Shawaly, H.H. (2015). Baseline Study for the Generation Breakthrough Project to Address Gender Equity and Adolescent’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR). Dhaka: UNFPA, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Mazid, M., Mahiyuddin, G., Ahamed, F. M., Osman, A., Ahsan, M., & Nahar, N. (2015). Endline Survey for Tackling Childhood Malnutrition (TCM) Project. Dhaka: Save The Children, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., & Ahsan, M. (2014). Gender and Migration from Bangladesh: Mainstreaming Migration into the National Development Plans from a Gender Perspective. Dhaka: International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40asia/%40ro-bangkok/%40ilo-dhaka/documents/publication/wcms_310411.pdf
Barkat, A., Poddar, A., Osman, A., Ahamed, F. M., Suhrawardy, G.M., & Ahsan, M. (2014). Baseline Study for Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Linkages (SaFaL) Programme. Dhaka: Solidaridad Network Asia, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Ahsan, M., Osman, A., Alam, J., & Shawaly, H.H. (2014). Assessing Inheritance Laws and their Impact on Rural Women in Bangladesh. Dhaka: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and International Land Coalition (ILC).
Mazid, M., Osman, A., Jalil, M.A., Ahsan, M., Shawaly, H.H., & Ahamed, F. M. (2013). Study on Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) of University Students on Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRH-R). Dhaka: UNFPA, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Poddar, A., Ahsan, M., & Ahamed, F. M. (2013). Social and Income Security of Older People at Household Level: A Background Study. Dhaka: Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) and HelpAge International.
Barkat, A., Osman, A., Sen Gupta, S.K., Ara, R., & Ahsan, M. (2013). Situational Analysis on Sexual Harassment at Tertiary Level Education Institutes in and around Dhaka. Dhaka: UN Women, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Sen Gupta, S.K., Hussain, A.A., Ahmed, SK Ali., Ali, M.O., Osman, A., Ahsan, M., & Hossain, M.I. (2012). Women in Parliament: Process and Extent of Participation and Scope for Strengthening Their Role. Dhaka: PRODIP, The Asia Foundation Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Osman, A., Ahsan, M., & Shawaly, H.H. (2012). Situational Analysis of the Street Children involved in Begging in Dhaka City. Dhaka: UNICEF, Bangladesh.
Ara, R., Mazid, M., Rahman, M., & Ahsan, M. (2012). Baseline Study on Joint Programme to Address Violence against Women (JP-VAW). Dhaka: UNFPA, Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Mazid, M., Ara, R., Rahman, M., Hussain, A.A., & Ahsan, M. (2011). Baseline Survey to Know the Extent and Severity of Violence Against Women in Selected Sectors. Dhaka: International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh.
Barkat, A., Halim, S., Osman, A., Hossain, M.I., & Ahsan, M. (2010). Status and Dynamics of Land Rights, Land Use and Population in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Dhaka: Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) and DANIDA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark).
Parvin, R., Ahsan, M. and Mannan, F. (ongoing). Ethnicity, Globalization and Social Change: An Exploratory Study among the Santals in Naogaon and Joypurhat District in Bangladesh. Research grant from East West University Centre for Research and Training (EWUCRT), East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Travel Grants, for attending the Workshop on ‘Contested emotion in Feminist Literature, Art, and Activism in March 2025 by the Collaborative Research Center Affective Societies, Freier University of Berlin, Germany.
Travel Grants, for attending the XX ISA World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in June 2025 by the Faculty Development Fund of East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Dhaka University Merit Scholarship, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (2008-2009)
Education Board Merit Scholarship, Dhaka Education Board, Bangladesh (1998)
Course Taught
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
SOC 201: Sociology of Family and Marriage
SOC 218: Sociology of Gender
SOC 302: Social Structure of Bangladesh
SOC 303: Urban Sociology
SOC 309: Sociology of Education
SOC 310: Sociology of Organization
SOC 406: Sociology of Development
SOC 409: Sociology of Mass Communication
SOC 414: Internship and Practicum
SOC 415: Women, Society, and Development
GEN 226: Emergence of Bangladesh
Supervision of Internship and Practicum:
(1) "Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Displaced Rohingya Women at Emergency Multi-sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project – EMCRP" in Summer 2019.
(2) "Empowering Women and Building Sustainable livelihood in Urban Bangladesh: An Experience through Internship" in Fall 2019.
(3) "Exploring the Banking Sector Under the Sociological Lenses: An Experience through Internship" in Fall 2019.
(4) "Development of Unprivileged Children through Education: A Project Overview at AIM Initiative Foundation School in Dhaka" in Fall 2019.
(5) "Fairer Labour Migration (FLM) Project: An Experience through internship in Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU)" in Spring 2020.
(6) "Domestic Violence against Women: A Research Review" in Spring 2020.
(7) "Exploring Development of Special Children: An Overview of Smiling Children Special School (SCSS)" in Spring 2020.
(8) "Exploring Strategy Building Procedure of 'The RAPTURE ENTERTAINMENT': An Experience with a Marketing Consultancy Firm through Internship" in Summer 2021.
(9) "Exploring the Hospitality Industry Under the Sociological Lenses: An Experience through Internship" in Summer 2021.
(10) Exploring Research and Advocacy in the Development Sector on 'Human Rights': An Experience Through Internship in Fall 2021.
(11) "Building Awareness Program on covid-19 Vaccination among the Chakma Community of South Khabong Paria, Khagrachhari Sadar, Khagrachhari" in Spring 2022.
(12) "Building Awareness on Violence Against Women in Shiddhirganj, Sadar Upazila, Narayanganj" in Spring 2022.
(13) "Exploring the Dynamics of the Banking Sector: An Internship Report under the Sociological Lens" in Summer 2022.
(14) "Exploring the Non-banking Financial Sector in Bangladesh: An Experience Through Internship in Industrial Development Leasing Company Securities Ltd. (IDLCSL), Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Spring 2023.
(15) "Exploring Entrepreneurial Activities in Livestock Sector in Bangladesh: An Experience Through Internship in Rx Nutrivet, Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Summer 2023.
(16) "Exploring Women Empowerment in Livestock Sector in Bangladesh: An Experience Through Internship in Rx Nutrivet, Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Summer 2023.
(17) "Exploring The Dynamics of Research Organization Through The Sociological Lens’ Under Global Research And Marketing" in Summer 2023.
(18) "Internship at Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS)" in Summer 2023.
(19) "Exploring ‘Caregiving’ as a Social Service: An Experience Through Internship in Ayat Care" in Summer 2023.
(20) "Technology & Sociology: An Internship to Understand User Experiences in the Digital Platform in Urboart Digital" in Fall 2023.
(21) "Education For Children: Understanding Youth Involvement For Social Development" in Fall 2023.
(22) "Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS): An Experience Through Internship in a research organization" in Spring 2024.
(23) "PROSHIKA: An Experience Through Internship in A Non-Government Development Organization" in Spring 2024.
(24) "Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS): An Experience Through Internship in A Women and Child Rights Organization" in Spring 2024.
(25) "Internship on Establishment of Digital Land Management System (EDLMS) Project in Geo-planning for Advanced Development (GPAD), Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Fall 2024.
(26) "Integrated Development Foundation (IDF): An Internship Experience in the Non-government (NGO) Sector" in Fall 2024.
(27) "Internship in Department of Social Service (DSS) under Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Summer 2025.
(28) "Internship in Transitional Shelter for Street Children (TSSC) Project under APON Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Summer 2025.
(29) "Development of Kalunagar and Shyampur Khal under Dhaka South City Corporation Project: An Experience Through Internship in Bangladesh Engineering and Technological Services Ltd. (BETS), Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Fall 2025.
(30) "Practical Learning Through an Internship at the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU)" in Fall 2026.
(31) "Engagement and Learning at Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RMMRU): An Internship Experience" in Fall 2026.
(32) "An Internship Experience on Social Services in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh" in Summer 2026.
Member, International Sociological Association (ISA)
Member, Canadian Sociological Association (CSA)
Member, Urban Informality (Urbani) Research Network (Convened by Dr. Daniel Kennedy Amoah, Memorial University, Canada)
