International Relations & Development Scholar | Policy Expert | Research Lead
Calgary, CA.
About
Highly accomplished Chevening Scholar and interdisciplinary expert with over a decade of global academic and professional experience in International Political Economy, Media Communication, Geopolitics, and AI-driven Fifth-Generation Warfare. Dr. Ahmed specializes in practice-oriented research, analyzing hegemonic rivalry, digital political economy, and governance transformations through critical theory, applied policy, and data-informed analysis, delivering impactful insights across diverse international contexts.
Work
Think Tank Journal
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Global Survey Lead – Think Tank Journal Collaboration
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Summary
Directed a global AI-driven youth perception survey on Fifth-Generation Warfare, managing the project from design to SCOPUS-indexed submission.
Highlights
Directed a global AI-driven youth perception survey on Fifth-Generation Warfare (5GW), gathering critical insights into emerging geopolitical dynamics.
Conducted end-to-end project management, from design to analysis and SCOPUS-indexed submission, ensuring rigorous research standards.
World Health Organization (WHO)
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Technical Lead – Research Integration
Somalia, , Somalia
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Summary
Directed research integration initiatives at WHO, coordinating mortality surveillance and leading data system design for health and governance.
Highlights
Coordinated community-based mortality surveillance with LSHTM and the University of Geneva, ensuring robust data collection and analysis.
Led the design, validation, and analysis of large-scale health and governance data systems, improving data integrity and utility.
Preston University
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Visiting Faculty Lecturer – International Relations, Development, and Media Communication Studies
Islamabad, , Pakistan
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Summary
Led postgraduate and undergraduate courses in global political economy, development theory, and media communication, while mentoring numerous theses.
Highlights
Designed and delivered postgraduate and undergraduate courses in Global Political Economy, Development Theory, Governance, Business Writing, and Media Communication, fostering critical analytical skills.
Supervised 30+ MA/MSc theses in international relations, governance, and public policy, guiding over 30 students to successful completion.
Led workshops on qualitative methods, AI-supported research, and interdisciplinary pedagogy, enhancing research capabilities across disciplines.
Democracy International / USAID
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Technical Lead – Political Economy & Stakeholder Analysis
Liberia, , Liberia
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Summary
Conducted qualitative and policy research on governance and reform systems for USAID initiatives in Liberia.
Highlights
Conducted qualitative and policy research on governance and reform systems, providing data-driven recommendations for democratic development.
Tetra Tech ARD / USAID
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Chief of Party & Director of Programs – Governance & Policy Advocacy
Afghanistan, , Afghanistan
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Summary
Directed multi-country research on governance, youth, and education policy for USAID programs, leading strategic advocacy efforts.
Highlights
Directed multi-country research on governance, youth, and education policy, informing strategic interventions and program design.
UNICEF
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Principal Specialist – Research & Communication for Development
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Summary
Managed research and communication strategies for development initiatives, focusing on large-scale survey design and implementation.
Highlights
Designed and managed Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) surveys for Polio Eradication Initiatives across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, informing public health strategies.
Oversaw full-cycle survey development, instrument design, data validation, and reporting, ensuring data quality and actionable insights.
Oxfam Novib
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Policy Advisor – Knowledge & Program Management
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Summary
Developed governance frameworks and open-access information systems to support programs across the Global South.
Highlights
Developed governance frameworks and open-access information systems across the Global South, facilitating knowledge sharing and program effectiveness.
Management Systems International
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Lead Researcher – Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)
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Summary
Designed mixed-method frameworks to analyze extremism drivers, contributing to policy and academic outputs.
Highlights
Designed mixed-method frameworks for policy and academic outputs on extremism drivers, enhancing understanding and response strategies.
International Islamic University
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Visiting Lecturer – International Relations & Development Studies
Islamabad, , Pakistan
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Summary
Taught courses in communication, development studies, political economy, and humanitarian governance, introducing interdisciplinary modules.
Highlights
Taught courses in Communication and Development Studies, Political Economy, and Humanitarian Governance, educating future leaders.
Introduced interdisciplinary research modules linking policy, media, and governance, fostering a holistic understanding of complex issues.
University of the Punjab
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Lecturer – Media & Development Studies
Lahore, , Pakistan
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Summary
Developed new curriculum modules in Media and Public Policy and provided communication training for executives.
Highlights
Developed new curriculum modules in Media and Public Policy, emphasizing real-world policy impact and relevance.
Provided communication training for executives and decision-makers, enhancing strategic communication capabilities.
University of Cambridge
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Research Assistant
Cambridge, , UK
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Summary
Supported students with learning disabilities and assisted faculty projects in international relations, media studies, and political science.
Highlights
Supported students with learning disabilities in research and academic writing, improving their educational outcomes.
Assisted faculty projects in International Relations, Media Studies, and Political Science, contributing to significant research initiatives.
London School of Economics (LSE)
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Studentship
London, , UK
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Summary
Assisted faculty in lecture documentation, field research, and class facilitation at LSE.
Highlights
Assisted faculty in lecture documentation, field research, and class facilitation, contributing to academic operations.
Education
Preston University
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Ph.D.International Relations
Courses
Dissertation: Challenges to U.S. Hegemony in an Era of AI-Driven Fifth-Generation Warfare from China and Russia (1991–2024)
London School of Economics (LSE)
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M.S./M.Phil.Media & Development Studies
Awards
Chevening Scholar
UK Government
Recognized for academic excellence and leadership potential with a prestigious scholarship to study at the London School of Economics.
Publications
Generational Warfare in an Era of AI and Quantum Technologies
Palgrave Macmillan
Book manuscript in progress, exploring generational warfare in the context of AI and quantum technologies.
Why Doesn't the EU Want a Trade War with China?
Think Tank Journal
Explored the reasons behind the EU's reluctance to engage in a trade war with China.
The New Frontline: Inside the AI-Driven India-Pakistan Conflict
Spheres of Influence (Canada)
Provided an inside look into the AI-driven conflict dynamics between India and Pakistan.
Why IMF's Structural Reforms Hurt, Not Help, the Third World
Think Tank Journal (Pakistan)
Argued why IMF's structural reforms are detrimental rather than beneficial for the Third World.
China's IOMed: Peaceful Solutions or Strategic Power Play?
Think Tank Journal
Investigated China's IOMed strategy, questioning whether it represents peaceful solutions or a strategic power play.
How Hegseth's Silence Escalates the China–U.S. War of Words
Think Tank Journal
Analyzed how specific actions or inactions escalate the China-U.S. war of words.
Trade Chains & Policy Shifts: The Future of Canadian Economic Sovereignty
Canadian International Council (Opencanada.org)
Analyzed trade chains and policy shifts impacting the future of Canadian economic sovereignty.
G7 Climate Commitments and Canada's Energy Transition
Canadian International Council (Opencanada.org)
Evaluated G7 climate commitments and their implications for Canada's energy transition.
Youth, Gender, and Fifth-Generation Warfare: A Global Survey of Awareness, Trust, and Lived Experiences
International Journal of Geopolitics (Globalization Series)
Conducted a global survey on youth, gender, and their experiences and perceptions of Fifth-Generation Warfare, currently under review.
From Globalization to Glocalized Polyarchic Pluralism: Reimagining the World Order for a Fragmented Future
International Journal of Governance, Security & Development
Examined the shift from globalization to glocalized polyarchic pluralism, reimagining the world order for a fragmented future, currently under review.
The U.S. Strategy of Multidomain Containment and China's Counter-Responses in the Indo-Pacific (2019–2025)
International Journal of Geopolitics (Globalization Series)
Explored the U.S. strategy of multidomain containment and China's counter-responses in the Indo-Pacific, currently under review.
Fifth Generation Warfare and Cyber Conflict: Pakistan's Vulnerability to Digital Terrorism
Asian Journal of International Peace & Security (AJIPS)
Analyzed Pakistan's vulnerability to digital terrorism within the context of Fifth Generation Warfare and cyber conflict.
Certificates
Certificates in Leadership, Governance & Peacebuilding
Harvard University, State University of New York, U.S. Institute of Peace
Certificate in Project Management, Risk Mitigation & Budgeting
University of California, USA
Postgraduate Certificates – Communication for Development and Public Health Emergency Research
International Political Economy (IPE), Global Hegemonism & Strategic Rivalry, AI & Emerging Technologies, Fifth-Generation Warfare (5GW), U.S.-China-Russia Economic & Technological Competition, Global Governance, State Behavior, Cyber Strategy.
Development & Policy
Political Economy of Development & Globalization, Comparative Governance & Policy Reform, Media & Development Studies, Humanitarian Governance, Public Policy, Knowledge Management, Program Management, Communication for Development, Public Health Emergency Research, Polio Eradication Initiatives.
Education & Curriculum Development
Postgraduate & Undergraduate Course Design, Curriculum Modules Development, Business Writing, Academic Writing, Class Facilitation, Mentorship.
Large-Scale Health Data Systems, Governance Data Systems, Open-Access Information Systems.
Interests
Professional Associations
International Studies Association (ISA), Global Health Council, Implementation Science Network, Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
Academic & Research Themes
Youth & 5GW, Hegemonic Rivalry, Health Systems, Vaccination Campaigns, International Relations, Global Security, Economic Transformation.
References
Prof. Dr. Amanullah Memon
Professor, Department of International Relations, Preston University, Pakistan | aman.memon@gmail.com | aman.memon@preston.edu.pk
Prof. Dr. H Shahzad
International Islamic University, Pakistan | studycircle16@gmail.com
Dr. Chris Kilford
Fellow, Queen's Centre for International and Defence Policy, Queen's University, Canada | chris.kilford@queensu.ca